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
Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022
An additional 20 fans, about the size of small trucks, destined for Russia are sitting on her factory floor — a sunk cost of €350,000.
—New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
His approval rating has sunk to historic lows - with disapproval now topping 60%, though polls suggest the outcome Sunday remains uncertain.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Adjective
One of their best times was a day where their biggest haul was a bunch of sunk bushes near the shore, where all three of them managed to tangle their lines.
—Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022
An additional 20 fans, about the size of small trucks, destined for Russia are sitting on her factory floor — a sunk cost of €350,000.
—New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022
Verb
The melancholy truth is that things have sunk into a morass of demoralization and low standards, with journalism inhabiting the poverty sector among the disciplines, and this at a time when communications nationally and internationally have reached an apex of urgency and complexity.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
His approval rating has sunk to historic lows - with disapproval now topping 60%, though polls suggest the outcome Sunday remains uncertain.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunk
Adjective
-
Owner Jason Boso fixed that, infusing $2 million into the 10-year-old bar on better bathrooms, a covered section of the patio and a re-done kitchen.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas News,
3 Apr. 2023
Verb
-
But just an hour later, the wife received a call from the home telling her that his condition had deteriorated and he was being sent to Hialeah Hospital.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The judge said the missing video could have shown whether deputies or medical staff had checked on Schuck or ignored him as his condition deteriorated.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The move came after Strategy shares plunged about 50% from their 2025 peak, erasing much of the premium investors were once willing to pay for its massive bitcoin holdings.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
-
London — Two top leaders at the BBC resigned on Sunday amid an escalating scandal over impartiality and bias that plunged Britain’s public broadcaster into one of its biggest crises in recent years.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Some disappeared from the city and were swallowed up in the Yeoman hinterland.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
And businesses that have so far swallowed the tariffs without raising prices may not be able to for much longer.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Aims of the science include learning how the oceans and magnetic field of Venus disappeared, and how plate tectonics changed the terrain.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
After Brown disappeared, the owner of the bakery, Alice Lombardi, told CBS News that customers had come into the store and cried.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For a family of three, the benefit would be reduced by $275.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After users online and public figures rushed to show solidarity to Miss Mexico, who many felt had been publicly humiliated, the Thai executive came out to apologize.—
Paula Soria,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Like Remembrance Day, VE Day honors fallen soldiers.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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