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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defunct
Getty Images To be sure, some of the discourse has centered around how inflationary pressures have made a handful of these hacks defunct.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Christopher Hoenig, a spokesperson for Jersey Central Power & Light, said that the power company de-energized high-voltage lines around the defunct Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant to protect the safety of firefighters in the area.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The shells are transported to a storage site in East Haven, a defunct quarry that’s high, dry and far enough from homes to avoid any odor issues.
—Jillian Freyer, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The Washington Post: The odyssey of Abrego Garcia begins with a defunct registry.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Christopher Hoenig, a spokesperson for Jersey Central Power & Light, said that the power company de-energized high-voltage lines around the defunct Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant to protect the safety of firefighters in the area.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The shells are transported to a storage site in East Haven, a defunct quarry that’s high, dry and far enough from homes to avoid any odor issues.
—Jillian Freyer, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The Washington Post: The odyssey of Abrego Garcia begins with a defunct registry.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct
Adjective
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One of these two lineages is the ancestor of the present-day strains, while the other strain re-emerged over centuries in Europe and went extinct by the early 19th century.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
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Related article Rhinos went extinct in Uganda 40 years ago.—
Nell Lewis,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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He was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
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The silver vehicle then hit the 84-year-old woman, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Ting’s Filipino Bistro 10 critical violations in an April 29 routine inspection 405 Main St. An inspector discovered a bottle of expired cocktail sauce sitting on top of the water heater at the River Market restaurant.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2025
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Clean out the expired sunscreen first before attempting to recycle the container.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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At Harrison’s birth, his father, Lyon Sr., was 75 years old, and his grandfather had been deceased for 66 years.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
29 May 2025
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By honoring the Union’s deceased soldiers, the Black community in Charleston was creating a moment in the nation’s history, showing gratitude to those who had fought for their emancipation.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
27 May 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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