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
Michelle Fox, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In the past year, the stock has sunk 30%.
—Anjalee Khemlani, Forbes.com, 27 May 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
Meanwhile, Duolingo has sunk nearly 36% so far in 2026.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In the past year, the stock has sunk 30%.
—Anjalee Khemlani, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunk
Verb
-
Analysts say the White House would favor a right-wing candidate, and that a victory for either Valencia or de la Espriella would probably mean a return to closer cooperation with Washington on security policy, after relations deteriorated under Petro.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
Regarding their own industries, CEO assessments about current conditions and expectations in six months deteriorated since last quarter.—
Sarah Min,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The consumer economy, though, is flagging; pork prices have plunged amid a glut and languid spending, in a microcosm of muted demand in the country.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
31 May 2026
-
Dollar General shares have fallen for three straight months and the stock is off 17% in 2025; National Vision plunged 29% in May.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Brith has swallowed her father’s ring.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Maddy began managing some of Alamo’s strippers, bringing her into the same underworld that had already swallowed Rue; Cassie moved into Lexi’s apartment complex, auditioned for a role on her show and slept with its heartthrob star.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Eight people, some of whom were related, disappeared on Sunday while traveling from Daule to Milagro, about 30 miles south of Babahoyo.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Sagamore was reduced to ashes twice before its final form was constructed in the 1920s (hopefully the third time’s a charm).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Similarly, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the European Union created regulations that sharply reduced its dependence on natural gas in favor of renewable sources.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In the ongoing fight for women’s equal rights, Pawol had proved a female baseball umpire can be second-guessed, proved wrong and humiliated by technology and mocked by howling fans on social media just like a man can.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
-
Villanova humiliated UConn, winning 81-61, after building out a 31-point lead.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Dollar General shares have fallen for three straight months and the stock is off 17% in 2025; National Vision plunged 29% in May.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
-
Trendy Erewhon, the reigning Rolls-Royce of grocery stores, has fallen behind in rent payments for its Culver City outpost, its landlord says.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Any concerns about his health faded as the game wore on.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
As public commemoration faded in Hong Kong, overseas communities were carrying the torch to keep memories alive by hosting vigils and rallies in places like London and Canada.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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