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
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Dan Sullivan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The Riverskate is different in that its bow and stern can be intentionally sunk, making all sorts of marvelous maneuvers possible.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Adjective
With Aguirre’s plan, the efforts will become a sunk cost.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
While such controversies may have sunk a politician of yesteryear, Uthmeier hasn’t shown any significant dip in support.
—Dan Sullivan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The Riverskate is different in that its bow and stern can be intentionally sunk, making all sorts of marvelous maneuvers possible.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
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
-
Unlike conventional implants that anchor in the jawbone, zygomatic implants extend into the cheekbone (zygoma), which remains dense even when jaw bone has deteriorated.—
Malana VanTyler,
jsonline.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Thousands of doctors being paid state wages that can hardly afford them a carton of eggs have emigrated from the country and hospitals have rapidly deteriorated.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stone's black gown featured a giant keyhole cutout that plunged almost to her belly button.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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But since then, Reuters recently reported, cocoa prices have plunged by 70 percent due to falling demand and because candy makers have developed alternatives to chocolate.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Boston-area fared slightly better with fewer outages, although Winthrop saw several water main breaks, caused by outages, which then led to a sink hole that nearly swallowed a Department of Public Works vehicle.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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Would small states − whether by population or geographical area − find their interests swallowed by larger ones?—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But many smaller festivals have disappeared, victims of the pandemic, slumping ticket sales, soaring food and labor costs, and chef disinterest.—
J.M. Hirsch,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The rainbow crosswalk at Morrow and Watson streets, which seemingly sprung up overnight in 2024, disappeared just as quickly and without warning.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here’s a look at what streets will be closed or reduced in Fort Worth this weekend to accommodate the event.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The ship also composts food waste and has reduced its reliance on single-use plastics.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the dormitory, the classroom, and on the football team, where Negroes were allowed only to be linebackers, he was humiliated.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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Still, Friday ranked as one of the most unexpected breakdowns in international sports since Germany humiliated host Brazil, 7-1, at the 2014 soccer World Cup.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And, over the last few weeks, several meters of fresh snow have fallen across Europe, part of a weather pattern driven by an unusual southerly jet stream that has dumped huge amounts of precipitation across the continent, causing flooding in lower altitude areas.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The National Weather Service estimates 28 to 38 inches of snow has fallen over the last five days at Mountain High.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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