defund

verb

de·​fund (ˌ)dē-ˈfənd How to pronounce defund (audio)
defunded; defunding; defunds

transitive verb

: to withdraw funding from

Examples of defund in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But that’s also true of every Democrat who won on Tuesday — including Mamdani himself, who has softened some of his stances on policing including past calls to defund the NYPD and build no new jails. Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Nov. 2025 That contrast has been on display this mayoral election, as Frey has accused Fateh of supporting defund the police measures. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025 Mamdani called to defund the NYPD and Cuomo agreed. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 The campaign to defund the arts, capture our museums, and rewrite our history is a prelude to silencing dissent itself. Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defund

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defund was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Defund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defund. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

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