1
as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
-
By 2024, his health had deteriorated to the point of requiring continuous oxygen, leading to his evaluation for a groundbreaking dual-organ transplant under the HOPE Act.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The importance of that relationship became clear in 2025, when live cattle imports plunged by more than 50%.—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
-
Oil stockpiles at the critical oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, have plunged to the bare minimum of what is needed to operate.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
-
The parade swallowed ordinary city life, too.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Before Black rodeos disappeared from the local calendar, cowboys and cowgirls from around the country regularly traveled to Kansas City to compete.—
J.M. Banks
June 24,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
-
In that moment, Hurst said, her imposter syndrome disappeared.—
Kaitlyn Harvey,
AJC.com,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
Among them, a large waterfront hotel in the city of Macuto, which has been reduced to rubble.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
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That matters because decades of research link heavy social media use to anxiety, lower self-esteem and reduced well-being.—
Ashley Hass,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
However, they were then humiliated 2-1, after extra time, by second division side Torreense in the final.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Overall homicides in the United States have fallen for four consecutive years, according to FBI data analyzed by the Washington Post.—
Sara-James Ranta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
Over the past decade, the economy has fallen, leading to far-reaching economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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