1
as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
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2
as in plunged
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock
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3
as in swallowed
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation
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4
as in disappeared
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
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5
as in reduced
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
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6
as in humiliated
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion
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7
as in fallen
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
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8
as in faded
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sunk
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Jan. 2026
With Aguirre’s plan, the efforts will become a sunk cost.
—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Caught unprotected off the port of Saint-Nazaire, the ship was sunk by German planes, the attack lighting a resulting fuel spill.
—
USA Today,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Adjective
The two aircraft lost at sea totaled more than $90 million of sunk equipment.
—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Jan. 2026
With Aguirre’s plan, the efforts will become a sunk cost.
—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Giorgio Chiellini, during Italy’s group-stage match against Uruguay in 2014, was not the first opponent to have Suarez’s over-eager gnashers sunk into him (specifically on the shoulder) and this one earned Suarez a four-month ban from the sport.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Caught unprotected off the port of Saint-Nazaire, the ship was sunk by German planes, the attack lighting a resulting fuel spill.
—
USA Today,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunk
Adjective
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His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.
Verb
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Air support also was grounded the previous afternoon as conditions deteriorated.
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The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.
Verb
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The importance of that relationship became clear in 2025, when live cattle imports plunged by more than 50%.
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Oil stockpiles at the critical oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, have plunged to the bare minimum of what is needed to operate.
Verb
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Mount Baldy made headlines in 2013 when a 6-year-old boy was suddenly swallowed by the dune, prompting rescues to frantically dig him out.
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The parade swallowed ordinary city life, too.
Verb
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Before Black rodeos disappeared from the local calendar, cowboys and cowgirls from around the country regularly traveled to Kansas City to compete.
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In that moment, Hurst said, her imposter syndrome disappeared.
Verb
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Among them, a large waterfront hotel in the city of Macuto, which has been reduced to rubble.
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That matters because decades of research link heavy social media use to anxiety, lower self-esteem and reduced well-being.
Verb
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.
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However, they were then humiliated 2-1, after extra time, by second division side Torreense in the final.
Verb
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Since peaking in 2021, Pinterest has fallen nearly 75%.
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At the headline level, the sky hasn’t fallen.
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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