defund

verb

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

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.
We‘re not going to defund this. Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026 Those schools, in turn, can now defund programs based on low numbers. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026 The commission, which was established by statute in 1987 and serves as a bridge between the government and the state’s growing Latino population, has now survived two attempts to defund or eliminate it. Idaho Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026 Trump is working to defund the same project now. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026 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 29 Mar. 2026.

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