perished

USAGE SUMMARY

"perished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was destroyed or no longer exists. Example: "The ancient city was thought to have perished in a devastating fire centuries ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He eventually perished in the deep to Sakande before striding off, bat raised towards the pavilion and the phalanx of photographers.

The Guardian - Sport

More than 400 people perished, over 14,000 homes were destroyed, and the city incurred losses amounting to £1.2bn.

The Guardian

Mary was previously married to King Francis II of France, though historians aren't sure if the marriage was consummated: he was a sickly youngster of just 15 when they wed, and soon perished of a brain abscess.

The Guardian - Film

The toll brings to more than 1,500 the number who have perished already this year, making 2015 far deadlier than 2014, which itself was a record year for tragedy on the Mediterranean, with more than 3,000 deaths.

The Guardian

It states: "As a result of the Post's online article, readers around the world have now been led to believe that thousands of migrant workers in Qatar have perished, or will perish, building the facilities for World Cup 2022 – a claim that has absolutely no basis in fact".

The Guardian

Joyce perished for 43 after pulling Sharif Asadullah to midwicket, while O'Brien was dismissed three balls later, with Andrew Poynter falling soon after.

The Guardian - Sport

In one incident 500 perished off the coast of Malta.

The Economist

Not only have at least 130,000 Syrians perished, and as many as 11m been forced to flee their homes.

The Economist

In a separate incident 200 migrants were thought to have perished off the coast of Libya.

The Economist

Radiocarbon dating of these skeletons suggested that their owners had perished between 1028 and 1280.One hypothesis about the origin of New World tuberculosis is that the first Americans actually did bring a version of the disease with them, but that the strain was so mild it was later swamped by the virulent form endemic in Europe.

The Economist

In the American assault that followed, the architectural legacy of the old kingdom was turned to rubble, while a quarter of the population perished.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perished" to convey a sense of finality or tragedy, particularly when discussing large-scale events or historical occurrences. It adds a degree of formality and somberness to the writing.

Common error

Avoid using "perished" in everyday conversations or casual writing. Simpler words like "died" or "passed away" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "perished" functions primarily as a verb, typically in the past tense, to describe the act of dying or ceasing to exist. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and common. It often carries a sense of finality or tragedy. Examples show it used in contexts such as describing deaths in natural disasters or historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb, as determined by Ludwig AI, often found in formal contexts like news reports and historical accounts. It serves to convey a sense of finality and tragedy when describing death or destruction. While "died" is a simpler alternative, "perished" adds a layer of somberness. As such, it's best to avoid casual or informal writing, reserving its use for situations needing a more serious tone. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in media and academic sources, highlighting its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

died

A straightforward and common term for ceasing to live.

passed away

A euphemistic way to say someone died, often used to soften the impact of the news.

lost one's life

Emphasizes the loss or sacrifice involved in dying.

succumbed

Implies dying from an illness, injury, or other condition.

expired

A formal term for dying, also used for the end of a validity period.

met one's end

A somewhat literary or dramatic way to describe death.

was killed

Indicates death caused by external force or violence.

no longer exists

Focuses on the cessation of existence, suitable for inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

ceased to be

A philosophical or formal way of saying something stopped existing.

faded away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or decline leading to death or non-existence.

FAQs

How to use "perished" in a sentence?

"Perished" is typically used to describe the death of a person or animal, or the destruction of something. For example, "Many sailors "perished" in the storm" or "The ancient civilization "perished" due to famine".

What can I say instead of "perished"?

You can use alternatives like "died", "passed away", "succumbed", or "expired" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "perished" or "died"?

Both ""perished"" and "died" are correct, but "perished" is more formal and often used in serious or tragic contexts. "Died" is a more general term.

What is the difference between "perished" and "deteriorated"?

"Perished" refers to death or complete destruction, while "deteriorated" refers to a decline in quality or condition. "Perished" implies a final end, whereas "deteriorated" suggests a process of decline.