dead
35 synonyms and 3 antonyms for dead, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — No longer alive.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use dead
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The intensifier use ("dead easy", "dead right") is common in British informal speech.
Etymology
From Old English dead, from a Proto-Germanic root also behind German tot and Dutch dood.
Full origin of dead →Frequently asked questions
What does “dead” mean?
The word “dead” means no longer alive. In plain terms, no longer alive, or (informally) no longer working, active, or exact/complete.
How do you pronounce “dead”?
“Dead” is pronounced dehd (/dɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “dead” in a sentence?
Here is “dead” used in a sentence: “The old oak tree had been dead for years.”
What is another word for “dead”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dead” include asleep, at rest, blessed, cadaverous, clay-cold and deceased.
What is the opposite of “dead”?
The opposite of “dead” — its antonyms — are alive, live and living.
What part of speech is “dead”?
Depending on how it is used, “dead” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “dead” come from?
The word “dead” comes from Old English. From Old English dead, from a Proto-Germanic root also behind German tot and Dutch dood.
Is “dead” a common word?
“Dead” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the opposite of dead?
The direct opposites are "alive" and "living." Where "dead" means no longer alive, "alive" means having life and being active. Related contrasts include "animate" versus "inanimate." In figurative uses, the opposite shifts too — a "dead" battery becomes "charged," and a "dead" phone becomes "working" once more.
What is the difference between dead and deceased?
Both mean no longer alive, but they differ in tone. "Dead" is plain, direct, and used in everyday speech. "Deceased" is formal and appears mainly in legal, medical, or official contexts, and can sound more respectful. You would say "the deceased" in a courtroom, not among friends.
Can "dead" be used figuratively?
Very often. A phone with no power is "dead," a quiet town is "dead," and total silence is "dead silence." A road with no exit is a "dead end." In these cases "dead" signals something inactive, empty, or finished rather than literally deprived of life.
Is "dead" a harsh word to use about people?
It can sound blunt. When discussing someone who has died, many people choose gentler phrases like "passed away," "lost," or "no longer with us." Formal writing often prefers "deceased." "Dead" is accurate and direct, but its plainness can feel cold in sensitive or grieving situations.