DEFUNCT Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'defunct' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of defunct are dead , deceased , departed , and late . While all these words mean "devoid of life," defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. // a defunct television series

Q: When is 'dead' a more appropriate choice than 'defunct'?

The meanings of dead and defunct largely overlap; however, dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life. // a dead , listless performance

Q: How does the word 'deceased' relate to other synonyms for 'defunct'?

Deceased , departed , and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use. // the estate of the deceased

Q: When might 'departed' be a better fit than 'defunct'?

The words departed and defunct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, departed is used usually as a euphemism. // our departed sister

Q: When would 'late' be a good substitute for 'defunct'?

While in some cases nearly identical to defunct , late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. // the company's late president

defunct

adjective

di-ˈfəŋkt

Definition of defunct next

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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as in fallen

no longer living a defunct species that we know only through fossil remains

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How does the adjective defunct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of defunct are dead, deceased, departed, and late. While all these words mean "devoid of life," defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation.

a defunct television series

When is dead a more appropriate choice than defunct?

The meanings of dead and defunct largely overlap; however, dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life.

a dead, listless performance

How does the word deceased relate to other synonyms for defunct?

Deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. Deceased is the preferred term in legal use.

the estate of the deceased

When might departed be a better fit than defunct?

The words departed and defunct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, departed is used usually as a euphemism.

our departed sister

When would late be a good substitute for defunct?

While in some cases nearly identical to defunct, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status.

the company's late president

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 Judges ruled Lai was the mastermind Lai founded Apple Daily, a now-defunct newspaper known for its critical reports about the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing. —

Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Lai founded Apple Daily, a now-defunct newspaper known for its critical reports against the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing. —

Kanis Leung, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 The state Supreme Court decided former state Superintendent Ryan Walters and his Education Department administration, which developed the now-defunct standards, failed to give the board members and the public sufficient advance notice of the new content. —

Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Feb. 2026 There are 79 Houston-area high schools — 14 of which are now defunct — who have had players make it to the Super Bowl. —

Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defunct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct

Adjective

Today, four are extinct and seven are endangered or threatened.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Today, four are extinct and seven are endangered or threatened.

— Claire Rush, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of extinct

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deftness

defunct

defund

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“Defunct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defunct. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of defunct

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