Synonyms of defunct

defunct

adjective

di-ˈfəŋkt 

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

• extinct
• vanished
• expired
• gone
• departed
• bygone
• obsolete
• done
• faded
• dead
• fallen
• nonexistent
• antiquated
• moribund
• nonextant
• bypast
• dying
• collapsed
• terminated
• lapsed
• lost
• dated
• missing
• finished
• overthrown
• passé

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• existing
• alive
• extant
• active
• living
• dynamic
• existent
• thriving
• vibrant

2

as in fallen

no longer living

a defunct species that we know only through fossil remains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fallen
• dead
• deceased
• extinct
• gone
• late
• departed
• lifeless
• low
• demised
• asleep
• dying
• cold
• breathless
• moribund
• bitten the dust
• fading
• terminated
• lapsed
• stillborn
• finished
• inanimate
• insensate
• nonliving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• alive
• breathing
• living
• quick
• going
• dynamic
• active
• vital
• functioning
• vibrant
• operative
• animate
• lively
• thriving
• animated
• vivacious
• running

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of defunct

What better way for a once-defunct British brand to stage a comeback than with a state-of-the-art, tech-laden, and fast electric vehicle? —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025

The owner of a now-defunct Milwaukee prenatal care company that was supposed to help low-income pregnant women, new mothers and babies has been convicted of 17 federal felony charges, including healthcare fraud, identity theft, paying kickbacks and money laundering. —Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Khanna was one of the first Indian designers to show during Paris Fashion Week in 2007, and her now-defunct diffusion label Ana-Mika, which catered to a Western audience, had more than 100 stockists globally at its peak. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025

The now-defunct chatroom was then shut down sometime prior to the Perry High School shooting. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025