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 no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning.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

Other Word Forms

• defunctness noun
• defunctive adjective
• nondefunct 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

The attack crippled key parts of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile infrastructure and demonstrated to the region that Iran’s regional dominance is declining if not defunct.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The main named defendant in the case was defunct hedgefund Solo Capital Partners, run by trader Sanjay Shah, who was jailed in a criminal trial in Denmark last year.

Read more on BBC

The BBC has been told the emails were not available to those in government when Lord Mandelson was appointed, as they came from a defunct email address.

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The government has repeatedly said this week that part of the problem was the messages between Mandelson and Epstein were from a defunct email address.

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A council spokesman said it welcomed any viable proposals to take over the "defunct" equestrian centre.

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Related Words

• nonexistent 
• obsolete 
• vanished www.thesaurus.com