defunct

[ dih-fuhngkt ]

adjective

1. no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning:

   a defunct law; a defunct organization.

2. no longer in existence; dead; extinct:

   a defunct person; a defunct tribe of Indians.

noun

1. the defunct, the dead person referred to:

   the survivors of the defunct.

defunct

/ dɪˈfʌŋkt /

adjective

1. no longer living; dead or extinct
2. no longer operative or valid

Derived Forms

• deˈfunctness, noun
• deˈfunctive, adjective

Other Words From

• de·functness noun
• nonde·funct adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defunct¹

1540–50; < Latin dēfunctus discharged, dead (past participle of dēfungī ), equivalent to dē- de- + functus performed; function

Word History and Origins

Origin of defunct¹

C16: from Latin dēfungī to discharge (one's obligations), die; see de- , function

Example Sentences

He endured 28 hours under "digital arrest," as scammers claimed that his defunct bank account had been used to launder money.

From BBC

Both cases are expected to go to trial in January 2025, with the 40-year-old prince alleging journalists and private investigators working for NGN - which also published the now defunct News of the World - targeted him.

From BBC

That might sound like they’re nowhere near each other, but at the velocities these defunct objects move it’s starting to get a little too close for comfort.

From BBC

A social media account once used by her mother is now defunct, and a phone number linked to her father has been deactivated.

From BBC

The period coming-of-age story was mostly set in the San Fernando Valley, where Anderson grew up, and he took the name from the defunct record store chain he remembered from his childhood.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nonexistent
• obsolete
• vanished