1
as in extinct
no longer existing
a stack of brochures and a few faded placards are all that remain of the defunct organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fallen
no longer living
a defunct species that we know only through fossil remains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of defunct
But in 2021, Wilks got a call from a friend who said that Mike Tyson wanted to talk about reviving his defunct cannabis company which had gone bust a few years earlier.
—
Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2025
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency, which is now defunct, was able to rescue the building and arrange for its reconstruction.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Volkswagen is reviving the defunct brand as an off-roading electric vehicle for distinctly American tastes.
—Verge Staff, The Verge, 5 Feb. 2025
The project, a dream pairing of two in-demand actors in The Perfect Couple and Bad Sisters’ Hewson and The White Lotus and The Last Of Us‘ Bartlett to series, originated at the now defunct ABC Signature where Berg and Countee had been under overall deals.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2025
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency, which is now defunct, was able to rescue the building and arrange for its reconstruction.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Volkswagen is reviving the defunct brand as an off-roading electric vehicle for distinctly American tastes.
—Verge Staff, The Verge, 5 Feb. 2025
The project, a dream pairing of two in-demand actors in The Perfect Couple and Bad Sisters’ Hewson and The White Lotus and The Last Of Us‘ Bartlett to series, originated at the now defunct ABC Signature where Berg and Countee had been under overall deals.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct
Adjective
-
Colossal said its woolly mouse would enable its scientists to test hypotheses about the link between specific DNA sequences and physical traits that enabled the mammoth, which went extinct around 4,000 years ago, to adapt to life in cold climates.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Research shows that some extinct types of crocodiles were herbivorous.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Windermere man and a passenger in the BMW M2, a 23-year-old woman from Orlando, were transported to Orlando Health Dr. Phillips Hospital and were later pronounced dead.—
Elainie Barraza,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Morgan and his three passengers, Ashley Nicole Caviness, 14; Danielle Nicole White, 13; and Brady Frizzell, 14, all of Humphrey, were pronounced dead at the scene.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After being pulled over for an expired license plate, McCoy shot the pair with a pistol.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Unlawful display of registration tab: At 5 p.m., deputies stopped a motorist at Lawrence Expressway and Prospect Road for expired registration.—
Anne Gelhaus,
The Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Skelton boys — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — were legally declared deceased by a Lenawee County judge on Wednesday, March 5, the Associated Press reported.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Synopsis: Pierre, a young man who lives in Paris with his father, travels to his native Tunisia in search of his early childhood and distant memories, including that of his long-since- deceased mother.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share