What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bereft
Example
She felt bereft after her best friend moved away. [bereft: adjective]
Example
The old man was bereft of hope after losing his job. [bereft: preposition]
deprived
Example
Children growing up in poverty often experience a deprived childhood. [deprived: adjective]
Example
She felt deprived of love and affection in her previous relationship. [deprived: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deprived is more commonly used than bereft in everyday language. Deprived is a versatile word that can be used to describe various situations of lacking or being denied something, while bereft is less common and often used in more specific emotional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bereft and deprived?
While bereft is associated with a more formal and literary tone, deprived is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more versatile word.
