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 Raby, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Avis — Shares sunk more than 9% after surging more than 48% last week.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 30 Mar. 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
That ship was attacked and sunk by Allied aircraft while anchored in what is now Taiwan.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Avis — Shares sunk more than 9% after surging more than 48% last week.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunk
Verb
-
Kuo believes the question of unification will inevitably be resolved during Xi’s tenure, but is concerned Xi will opt for a more aggressive approach, such as a blockade or invasion, as relations between Beijing and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party have deteriorated.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iraq’s exports plunged by about 80% in March compared with last year’s average daily volumes, while Saudi Arabia has rerouted crude through its east-west pipeline to the Red Sea, now running near capacity at roughly 7 million barrels a day.—
Gerry Doyle,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Revenue plunged during the pandemic and has yet to fully recover to prepandemic levels, and Chicago can’t afford to endanger any revenue source given its precarious financial position.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Duke swallowed an olive the size of my head.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
If the design takes New York’s fallback course, the library could be swallowed into a plain brown box.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seriously injured, Johnson was rescued by helicopter, but Molly disappeared.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Cloud rap never disappeared, but the party was over.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Seen from this perspective, ecology cannot be reduced to questions of proximity alone.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies have been humiliated before in their first home game, but never as badly as this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, attendance has fallen 20% over the past 20 years, a span that includes one postseason series victory and the current streaks of 10 seasons with losing records and 11 seasons without a playoff appearance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Such people are oblivious to how low America’s standing has fallen.—
Max Hastings,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The idea of a quick military solution has faded, but no serious political alternative has taken its place.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And the beetles faded from her days without her noticing.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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