variants
also kaputt
1
as in doomed
facing certain defeat, disaster, or death
once the Germans were forced to retreat from Stalingrad, the Nazi cause was kaput
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness
hard-line Soviet-style Communism became kaput in Russia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
the heating system went kaput on the coldest day of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kaput
Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, seems adamant that the OG Yellowstone is kaput.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Now all three of those competitors are kaput, felled by runs on deposits during the biggest banking crisis in a decade and a half.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 14 June 2023
The Stooges are now functionally kaput—of the original lineup, only Pop is left.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2019
At least not on Sunday afternoon, nearly a full two days after the Clippers were supposed to be done, finished, as kaput as the Kings – those in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
—Jeff Miller, Orange County Register, 29 Apr. 2017
The damages for that less-than-brilliant marketing idea could be as much as $120 million, meaning the company as a whole is pretty much financially kaput.
—Susan Arendt, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2007
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Now all three of those competitors are kaput, felled by runs on deposits during the biggest banking crisis in a decade and a half.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 14 June 2023
The Stooges are now functionally kaput—of the original lineup, only Pop is left.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2019
At least not on Sunday afternoon, nearly a full two days after the Clippers were supposed to be done, finished, as kaput as the Kings – those in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
—Jeff Miller, Orange County Register, 29 Apr. 2017
The damages for that less-than-brilliant marketing idea could be as much as $120 million, meaning the company as a whole is pretty much financially kaput.
—Susan Arendt, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2007
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kaput
Adjective
-
Yet there’s growing momentum to release the district — and dozens of others — from decades-old orders that some call obsolete.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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Authorities argued at the time that the systems used by the Spanish forces were obsolete and should be replaced for up-to-date versions like those used by allied armies.—
Brittany Williams,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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All wore dark formal kimonos and solemnly made the sign of the cross in front of their faces before starting their prayers — a mix of archaic Japanese and Latin.—
Foster Klug,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
Of note is the incorporation of vocabulary from Ivan’s archaic Norm language, a special touch that entranced me.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lukas Hradecky is the club’s current number one and captain, but had a down season compared to the year before.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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But there’s a misconception that 2024 is a down year.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Fancy Spider is just the latest, multi-venue cultural performing arts festival planned for the town, following a defunct stand-up comedy festival and other annual gatherings.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
6 June 2025
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Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to see the resurrection of the defunct Constitution gas pipeline project that would carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to western New York.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days. CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
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While the thrust levers were the final straw, other contributing factors included the lack of regulations prohibiting landings at Congonhas Airport with an inoperative thrust reverser, especially under heavy rain conditions.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The sunk cost fallacy, for example, can lead companies to continue investing in maintaining a physical office space, despite the benefits of remote work.—
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky,
Forbes,
6 Feb. 2023
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The sunk cost fallacy is a bias that behavioral economists say can cause a person to stick with a losing investment.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
22 Mar. 2022
Adjective
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Baker said radio communications between the pilot and air traffic controllers indicated the pilot knew the weather system was inoperable.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
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Lights inside the three-door upright roller were inoperable.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Deciding what counts as an endangered ‘species’ In the United States, the Endangered Species Act is the main tool for protecting biodiversity.—
Alex Erwin,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
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In 2016, pygmy hippos were deemed an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kaput.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kaput. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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