demise

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for demise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The end or downfall of something, especially in a gradual or unfortunate way.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

collapse end passing dying death

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

downfall dissolution

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The end or downfall of something, especially in a gradual or unfortunate way.

“The demise of the local newspaper left the town without local coverage.”

downfall collapse end passing dissolution dying death

2. noun

A formal or literary word for death.

“News of his sudden demise shocked the community.”

Opposites

life

How to use demise

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

the demise of sudden demise lead to the demise of

Formal; sounds stiff or overly dramatic if used casually about small setbacks.

Etymology

From Old French démise, feminine past participle of démettre ("to relinquish"), from Latin demittere. The "death" sense developed as a euphemism, since a person's death was often the legal event that triggered the transfer of an estate.

Full origin of demise →

Frequently asked questions

What does “demise” mean?

The word “demise” means the end or downfall of something, especially in a gradual or unfortunate way. In plain terms, the end of something — often used for death, but also for the collapse or decline of a business, project, or institution.

How do you pronounce “demise”?

“Demise” is pronounced dih-MYZ (/dɪˈmaɪz/ in IPA).

How do you use “demise” in a sentence?

Here is “demise” used in a sentence: “The demise of the local newspaper left the town without local coverage.”

What part of speech is “demise”?

“Demise” is a noun.

Where does the word “demise” come from?

The word “demise” comes from Latin.

Is “demise” a common word?

“Demise” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “demise” have?

“Demise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the end or downfall of something, especially in a gradual or unfortunate way.

What is the difference between demise and death?

Demise can mean death in a formal or literary sense, but it is also commonly used more broadly to describe the end or downfall of something, such as a company, plan, or era. "Death" is used only for the end of a living being's life, while demise extends metaphorically to the failure or collapse of institutions and projects.

Can demise be used for things other than people?

Yes, demise is frequently applied to the end or downfall of non-living things, such as "the demise of the newspaper industry" or "the demise of a business." This figurative use, describing a gradual or unfortunate ending, is one of its most common modern applications.

Is demise a formal word?

Demise is generally considered formal or literary, making it more common in news reports, obituaries, and business writing than in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say "death" or "end" instead.

People also searched

life end death dying passing collapse dissolution downfall

Nearby words

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