C2adjectiveformalemotions
US/bɪˈreft/
UK/bɪˈreft/
very sad and lonely because someone has died or left; or completely without something
In context
He was bereft after his wife of fifty years died last winter.
The town felt bereft of life after the factory closed and young people left.
The speech was long but completely bereft of new ideas.
Words that go with bereft
adjective + preposition
- bereft ofAfter the fire, the family was bereft of everything they owned.
- bereft of hopeThe refugees arrived at the border exhausted and bereft of hope.
- bereft of ideasThe opposition seemed bereft of ideas during the debate.
adverb + adjective
- utterly bereftShe felt utterly bereft when her children moved overseas.
- completely bereftThe team looked completely bereft of confidence in the second half.