Definition of "bereave" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To deprive by or as if by violence; to rob; to strip.

2. (transitive, obsolete) To take away by destroying, impairing, or spoiling; take away by violence.

3. (transitive) To deprive of power; prevent.

4. (transitive) To take away someone or something that is important or close; deprive.

   • Death bereaved him of his wife.
   • The family has been recently bereaved.
   • The castaways were bereft of hope.

5. (intransitive, rare) To destroy life; cut off.