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
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Though McBride had sunk only 28 percent of his 3-point attempts to that point in his career, New York logged his progress behind the scenes.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 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
Both ships are now sunk off the coast of Canada.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Though McBride had sunk only 28 percent of his 3-point attempts to that point in his career, New York logged his progress behind the scenes.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 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
-
While suspended from the ceiling, Hart plunged to his death.—
Makena Gera,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
On Friday, May 22, prices in South Florida were up by double digits from the start of the week, when prices had plunged from the week before.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The city of Kiruna in Arctic Sweden is being slowly swallowed by the iron ore mine upon which it was built.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
-
Nate was a piranha in a small pond who found himself in a dangerous ecosystem, swallowed by bigger, more dangerous predators.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Brian Hooker was detained for five days by Bahamian police after his wife disappeared, but was never charged with a crime.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes , Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
-
An East Point family is pleading for answers nearly a month after a 20-year-old man disappeared after visiting a local Target store.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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As a result, the evacuation zone was initially reduced Monday evening, allowing some 34,000 residents to return home.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Some sides have reduced the volume of man-to-man phases in their press to avoid getting caught out in this way.—
Jon Mackenzie,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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These descriptions included being physically beaten, dragged by the hair, attacked with dogs, tased, and verbally humiliated.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
25 May 2026
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Less than a week after that defeat, Arteta was rapidly thrust into his first ever managerial role at the club Guardiola had just humiliated, taking over at Arsenal and becoming the youngest manager in the league.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
23 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
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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
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Those who adapted survived; many who didn't faded.—
Motaz Agamawi,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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Once the hashmarks, Boise State logo and end zone markings found their way onto the field, many of the jokes faded.—
Shaun Goodwin
May 25,
Idaho Statesman,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunk. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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