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

Examples of defunct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pac-12’s production studio in the Bay Area — essentially, the infrastructure remaining from the defunct Pac-12 Networks — is also part of the conversations. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024

Zamora was the publisher of the defunct newspaper elPeriódico, which frequently published stories about the previous government's corruption. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 July 2024

The space honors Cocoanut Grove, the famed nightclub inside the now defunct Ambassador Hotel, and The Coconut Club, formerly at the Beverly Hilton. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 31 July 2024

Quavo, known as the frontman of the now defunct hip-hop trio Migos, is expected to make remarks on the issue of gun violence at the rally, two sources say. —Eva McKend, CNN, 30 July 2024