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defunct

adjective
de·​funct | \ di-ˈfəŋkt How to pronounce defunct (audio) , dÄ“-\

Definition of defunct

: no longer living, existing, or functioning wrote for a magazine that is now defunct a defunct railroad
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about defunct

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Choose the Right Synonym for defunct

dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life. dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life. a dead, listless performance defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. a defunct television series deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use. the estate of the deceased departed is used usually as a euphemism. our departed sister late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. the company's late president

Did You Know?

If you know that de- often means "the opposite of", it's easy to guess the meaning of defunct. Shakespeare seems to have been the first writer to use this adjective, in Henry V. Defunct American political parties include the Greenback Party, the Readjuster Party, and the Nullifier Party. Defunct Academy Awards categories include Best Dance Direction and Best Assistant Director. Defunct U.S. auto models include the Dudly Bug, the LuLu, the Hupmobile, the Gas-au-lec, and the Nu-Klea Starlite. But to speak of a person as defunct would sound disrespectful—which is how it sounds in e. e. cummings's famous poem "Buffalo Bill's defunct".

Examples of defunct in a Sentence

She wrote for the now-defunct newspaper. a stack of brochures and a few faded placards are all that remain of the defunct organization

Recent Examples on the Web

 Wolford parlayed an opportunity in the defunct Alliance of American Football into a role with the Rams and passed for three touchdowns during the preseason. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, "John Wolford and Dakota Allen among players signed to Rams’ practice squad," 1 Sep. 2019 During Lindsay’s first term, Mr. Kramarsky served as the mayor’s representative on the once powerful Board of Estimate, now defunct, which wielded broad control over city affairs. — Sam Roberts, BostonGlobe.com, "Werner Kramarsky, 93, rights official and arts patron," 24 Aug. 2019 During Mayor Lindsay’s first term, Mr. Kramarsky served as the mayor’s representative on the once powerful Board of Estimate, now defunct, which wielded broad control over city affairs. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Werner Kramarsky, Rights Official and Arts Patron, Dies at 93," 24 Aug. 2019 The former Heisman Trophy winner and Browns’ first-round pick has bounced around to the Canadian Football League and now-defunct Alliance of American Football after Cleveland released him in 2016. — Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, "7 quarterbacks, including 3 ex-Broncos, who could end up in the XFL following Landry Jones," 15 Aug. 2019 Most defunct, offline streamer pages on Twitch revert to a kind of permanent archival form, where streamers can point their followers to new locations and viewers can access old streams and clips. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Twitch backtracks after accidentally showing porn on Ninja’s old page," 12 Aug. 2019 Sunscreen manufacturers once paid the American Academy of Dermatology for its endorsement, too, though that program is also defunct. — Eric Topol, The New Yorker, "Why Doctors Should Organize," 5 Aug. 2019 One-half of Layo and Bushwacka!, the DJ was part of London’s defunct (but no less legendary) The End family, and in later years made moves as Just Be. Bushwacka! — Lily Moayeri, Billboard, "Family Business: Five Famous DJs Whose Children Followed In Their Footsteps," 2 Aug. 2019 Disappointment is running high after Sunday’s Game of Thrones finale and chief among fan grievances is the fact that a sniveling young white boy who often did the least—that would be Bran—ascended to the (now-defunct) Iron Throne. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "A Little White Man Is King on Game of Thrones? Groundbreaking.," 20 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defunct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of defunct

1599, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for defunct

Latin defunctus, from past participle of defungi to finish, die, from de- + fungi to perform — more at function

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More Definitions for defunct

defunct

adjective
How to pronounce defunct (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of defunct

formal : no longer existing or being used

See the full definition for defunct in the English Language Learners Dictionary

defunct

adjective
de·​funct | \ di-ˈfəŋkt\

Kids Definition of defunct

: no longer existing or being used The old factory was defunct.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defunct

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with defunct

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defunct

Spanish Central: Translation of defunct

Nglish: Translation of defunct for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of defunct for Arabic Speakers

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