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

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.
Recent Examples of defunct On Wednesday, Anthropic announced a new feature that expands its Artifacts document management system into the basis of a personal AI app gallery resembling something from the Flash game era of the early 2000s—though these apps run on modern web code rather than Adobe's defunct plugin. ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025 And locals are not pleased about the defunct sand mine with a pending application to create a 50-lot commercial center. Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025 Boelter’s LinkedIn page lists a bachelor’s degree in international relations from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree and doctorate of education from Cardinal Stritch University, a defunct Catholic institution in Milwaukee. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 22 June 2025 One is even housed in a former Old County Buffet, the now defunct all-you-can-eat restaurant chain which closed its last Illinois restaurant five years ago. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for defunct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defunct
Adjective
  • In the business world, there is extensive literature warning against this—companies that refuse to adapt to market needs go extinct.
    Pablo Listingart, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • What could possibly go wrong on such a slippery slope, where nothing remains sacred, tradition is going extinct and everything left is tacky and transactional?
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, a 19-year-old female employee at a Walmart in Canada was found dead inside a walk-in oven at the store's bakery department.
    Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • Topline Authorities reportedly identified the man suspected of killing two firefighters and injuring another in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—after he was found dead next to the sniper rifle believed to be used to ambush firefighters responding to a wildfire.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tasks like taking out the trash, tossing expired items from the fridge and pantry, making the bed, and wiping down surfaces often will help maintain a clean house.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
  • The company’s claim that Lightfoot’s pandemic decree cost it millions comes despite the fact a Tribune investigation found the city issued more than 35,000 parking tickets during the time the mayor told motorists they wouldn’t get dinged for parking at expired meters.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The now deceased suspect is believed to have started the fire intentionally to draw-in and target responding firefighters, officials have said.
    Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
  • Late Sunday, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said SWAT teams had located a deceased man with a firearm near the shooting scene at Canfield Mountain, KXLY-TV reported.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • So many firsts, gone, charred to ash, just remnants of an area that once represented Black prosperity and joy.
    Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Defunct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defunct. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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