1
as in extinct
no longer existing
a stack of brochures and a few faded placards are all that remain of the defunct organization
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fallen
no longer living
a defunct species that we know only through fossil remains
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defunct
For the past couple of years, he's served as chief judge of the federal district court, a tenure that's spanned two of the now defunct federal investigations of Donald Trump.
—
Carrie Johnson, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The same thing happened the last time the Russians attacked under a giant flag—in that case, the blood-red flag of the defunct Soviet Union.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
On Tuesday, a House committee advanced a bill that would revoke previous provisions exempting specific information about defunct insurance companies from public records requests.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Her firm is now defunct, and some of those artworks have begun heading to sale in auctions run by courts and Phillips.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Carrie Johnson, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
The same thing happened the last time the Russians attacked under a giant flag—in that case, the blood-red flag of the defunct Soviet Union.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
On Tuesday, a House committee advanced a bill that would revoke previous provisions exempting specific information about defunct insurance companies from public records requests.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Her firm is now defunct, and some of those artworks have begun heading to sale in auctions run by courts and Phillips.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct
Adjective
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Many employees may also stay put as a result, though some will still seek new opportunities—especially those in relatively stable fields like healthcare. VIDEO QUIZ Ancient DNA from a species that has been extinct for at least 10,000 years lives on once again in the form of three baby animals.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The company revealed the recent successful birth of three snowy white dire wolf puppies – an animal that was extinct.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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On the second day of the year, police responded to a call where a father and his son and daughter were found dead.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
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Matthew Terrell Collins Sr., 58, and Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., 29, were pronounced dead at the scene around 6:06 p.m.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Abraham has since been released on appearance bond subject to several conditions, the outlet reported, which include certain travel restrictions and the surrender of any current or expired passports.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The female driver was given a citation for an expired registration.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But the supposedly deceased pachyderm turned out to be a yard sculpture toppled by the wind, Palm Springs police said in a Thursday, April 3, news release.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The researcher team tested their model on rodents and organ donors from deceased individuals.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So many firsts, gone, charred to ash, just remnants of an area that once represented Black prosperity and joy.—
Maya Richard-Craven,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
3 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Defunct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defunct. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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