1
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
inherited all of the estate upon the sudden demise of his grandfather
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in termination
the act of ceasing to exist
the gradual demise of the Roman Empire over the course of several centuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downfall
a loss of status
after her demise as the doyenne of New York society, the mere mention of her name was regarded as a faux pas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to die
to stop living
our much beloved, recently demised leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demise
Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
If classic British sports-car marques like MG and Triumph had not met their demise in the early 1980s, their descendants might have resembled something like Mazda’s MX-5.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022
Ann, who’s starring in a new opera at Disney Hall, embraces her character’s nightly demise with a grand passion that her audiences find cathartic.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for demise
Noun
After the 1935 hurricane hastened the railway’s demise, the railroad bed was used for the new road and some of the railroad bridges were converted for cars — narrow, white-knuckle affairs that live on in memories, in ruins and in a span that’s recently been revived as a pedestrian and biking path.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
If classic British sports-car marques like MG and Triumph had not met their demise in the early 1980s, their descendants might have resembled something like Mazda’s MX-5.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
According to James Sinclair, director of marine archaeology for the AllenX Maravillas project, the researchers are delving into the mystery of the ship’s demise by thoroughly mapping all of their finds.
—Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022
Ann, who’s starring in a new opera at Disney Hall, embraces her character’s nightly demise with a grand passion that her audiences find cathartic.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for demise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demise
Noun
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Here's what to know about the death of Skype, including more information on why Microsoft decided to pull the plug.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Stephanie is also suspicious and later learns that Aunt Linda is wanted by the FBI in connection with several mysterious deaths.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
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The Justice Department announced the decision in a filing April 25 in U.S. district court in Massachusetts, where a lawsuit had been filed in response to the terminations.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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The terminations of the arts grants came after the Trump administration had canceled grants at the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.—
Michael Paulson,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
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One of the downfalls Oklahoma City had last year was production from the supporting cast.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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The downfall wasn’t immediate, however, as Louise—like many of Joe’s love interests—wrestled with her own romantic feelings for him before coming to the realization about who Joe really was.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Steven Burns is about to get another chance to convince commissioners that the same man who left Catina to die that night, is a changed man.—
Erin Moriarty, Liza Finley,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
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After her victory, France paid tribute to her son Henry, who died from leukemia last year.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Noun
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The 10 seconds between numbers feel interminable when the fate of 14 selections is on the line.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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The fate of current Thursdays-at-9 occupant Doctor Odyssey remains TBD.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The dissolution of the PKK raises a host of questions for the Islamist government of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the pro-American Kurdish forces (YPG) in northern Syrian who helped defeat the Islamist State terrorist movement.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2025
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More broadly, the dissolution of the foreign aid program is a significant example of a broader trend the administration is pursuing: sacrificing soft power for hard power.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The paranormal relationship has had ups and downs since.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Richard Sutcliffe recaps the ups and downs of 2024-25 Does Parkinson look for a specialist in this position?—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
Verb
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As a result, trade between the two sides is falling sharply, according to logistics experts.—
Juliana Liu,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
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Last night, the Rockies were 0-for-7 after falling behind 1-2.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demise. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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