1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fallen
no longer living
a defunct species that we know only through fossil remains
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defunct
According to Vice, the tradition of the Friday the 13th tattoo flash sale is widely credited to tattoo artist Oliver Peck, who, in 1995, held a 24-hour tattooing bonanza at the now-defunct Pair O' Dice tattoo shop in Dallas, offering customers $13 tattoos.
—
Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
The old boiler wheezed and stalled, the roof sprang leaks, half-century-old pipes cracked, and the lobby intercom was defunct.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
A number of newspapers in town held similar contests, Morse says, including the now-defunct Chicago Inter Ocean, which published from 1865 to 1914.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The film was originally set to be released in 2023 on the now-defunct Sunn Stream OTT platform.
—William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
The old boiler wheezed and stalled, the roof sprang leaks, half-century-old pipes cracked, and the lobby intercom was defunct.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
A number of newspapers in town held similar contests, Morse says, including the now-defunct Chicago Inter Ocean, which published from 1865 to 1914.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The film was originally set to be released in 2023 on the now-defunct Sunn Stream OTT platform.
—William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defunct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct
Adjective
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The ʻakikiki, a Hawaiian bird native to Kauai, is now considered extinct in the wild due to the disease.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The students said the Muwekma Ohlone tribe was wrongfully denied equal protections under the law after its members were declared extinct and lost their federal recognition and land rights.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Steven McDonald, a fallen hero of the department who channeled the agony of three devastating gunshot wounds into an enduring message of peace and forgiveness.—
Barry Williams,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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As the give-and-take between Goldsworthy and the farmers of Penpont has deepened, the latter have become accustomed to the sight of the artist gathering wood or stones or fallen trees.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hunters and birdwatchers are advised to wear gloves when handling birds or feeders, to wash hands thoroughly after any contact, and to not eating birds that appear sick or birds that are found dead.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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The key is having at least one recipe in your culinary back pocket that’s so dead-simple, it can be made on autopilot using just a few simple ingredients that come together with minimal effort, cook time, or dirty dishes to deal with afterwards.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Insights from Washington and Colorado Washington and Colorado are not planning to make any changes to their programs as a result of the expired tax credits, according to government officials in those states.—
Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez,
NPR,
18 Feb. 2026
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Group multiple jars of the same spice together and set aside any expired spices.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Chatham County police said the woman was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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The letter also included deceased celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Kurt Cobain, who were simply mentioned in correspondence.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Retaining Hall, 39, keeps one familiar face from Dart’s rookie year on the offensive side of the building for his second NFL season, with Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka and Shea Tierney all long gone.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defunct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defunct. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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