defunct

/dɪˈfʌŋkt/ formal

Say it: dih-FUNKT

adjective No longer in existence or use; not operating or functioning.
The old textile mill, now defunct, is a relic of the town's industrial past.

📖 Seen in the wild

The defunct railway line was overgrown with weeds and forgotten by most residents.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ defunct in a sentence

He tried to access his old account on the now defunct social media platform.
The treaty became defunct after both nations violated its terms.
Many of the skills I learned for my first job are now completely defunct.
The city plans to demolish the defunct power plant next year.
Exploring the ruins of the defunct amusement park was an eerie experience.
That political ideology is largely defunct, with very few adherents today.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

extinct obsolete bygone inoperative disused nonexistent vanished

extinct · typically used for species or family lineages that have died out completely.

obsolete · implies something has been replaced by a newer, better version, even if it still works.

bygone · carries a nostalgic or historical feeling for a past era.

inoperative · suggests a temporary or permanent state of not working, often for mechanical things.

Opposites: extant, operative, active, existing, functioning

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the Latin 'defunctus', meaning 'finished', which is the past participle of the verb 'defungi', 'to perform or discharge a duty'. The prefix 'de-' means 'off' or 'completely', and 'fungi' means 'to perform'. Its original English use in the 16th century referred to a person who had 'finished' with life, but it has since broadened to describe any institution, law, or object that has ceased to exist or function.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

defunct companydefunct organizationdefunct lawdefunct railwaynow defunctlargely defunct

Defunct is a formal and precise term, best suited for writing and formal speech. It's most often applied to organizations, laws, technologies, or practices that have ceased to operate, often permanently. While it can technically refer to a deceased person, this usage is now rare and sounds archaic or overly clinical; 'deceased' or 'late' are the standard terms.

💬 Quick answers

What does defunct mean?

It means something is no longer in existence, use, or operation. It's commonly used for businesses, organizations, laws, or technologies that have shut down or been abandoned.

What's the difference between defunct and obsolete?

Defunct means something has stopped functioning or existing entirely. Obsolete means something is still functional but has been superseded by a newer, better alternative, like an old model of a phone.

Can you use defunct to describe a person?

While historically it could mean 'deceased,' this usage is now very rare and sounds stiff or archaic. It's better to use words like 'deceased' or 'late' when referring to a person who has died.

Is defunct a formal word?

Yes, defunct is considered a formal word. You would typically see it in news articles, legal documents, or historical texts rather than in casual conversation.

1 word nerd collected it V

Want "defunct" to actually stick?

Save it to your own vault, let AI explain it, practice till it's yours.

Start for free →