2
: the conveyance of an estate
3
: transfer of the sovereignty to a successor
demised; demising
1
: to convey by will or lease
demise an estate
2
: to transmit by succession or inheritance
2
: to pass by descent or bequest
the property has demised to the king's heirs
Synonyms
Examples of demise in a Sentence
Noun
… invited visitors to play a game in which points are awarded to those who predict the demise of yet another overhyped dot-com.
—
Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000
This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the terminal silliness, of our culture.
—John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr. 1997
Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals.
—Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995
She had no property at the time of her demise.
The musician met an untimely demise.
We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago.
Losing this game will mean the team's demise.
Verb
our much beloved, recently demised leader
Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000
This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the terminal silliness, of our culture.
—John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr. 1997
Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals.
—Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995
She had no property at the time of her demise.
The musician met an untimely demise.
We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago.
Losing this game will mean the team's demise.
Verb
our much beloved, recently demised leader
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Historically, the demise of down-ballot candidates rarely drag down the affiliated party’s presidential candidate, CNN notes.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Even the reports of the Suns’ demise that the Mavs created may be premature.
—Dallas News, 31 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for demise 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
How did Marvel brass initially react to Agatha’s demise?
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Historically, the demise of down-ballot candidates rarely drag down the affiliated party’s presidential candidate, CNN notes.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Founder Eric Law says the best application of the product would be for partition and demising walls where clients want the look of wood, along with the sustainability benefits.
—Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Even the reports of the Suns’ demise that the Mavs created may be premature.
—Dallas News, 31 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for demise
Dictionary Entries Near demise
Cite this Entry
“Demise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demise. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
demise
1 of 2 transitive verb
de·mise
di-ˈmīz 
demised; demising
: to convey (possession of property) by will or lease
the demised premises
demise
2 of 2 noun1
: the conveyance of property by will or lease : lease
2
: the transmission of property by testate or intestate succession
3
: charter of a boat in which the owner surrenders completely the possession, command, and navigation of the boat
called also bareboat charter
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French, from feminine past participle of demettre to convey by lease, from Old French, to put down, give up, renounce, from Latin demittere to let fall and dimittere to release
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share