sunk
Americanverb
adjective
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Informal. beyond help; done for; washed up.
If they catch you cheating, you're really sunk.
-
Nautical. (of a forecastle or poop) raised less than a full deck above the weather deck of a ship.
verb
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sunk
First recorded in 1925–30 sunk for def. 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sunk in 1708, the galleon San José attained legendary status.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
Sunk said it was a time to hail those who secured the 1998 deal and reflect on the progress since made, but also to redouble efforts.
From Reuters • Apr. 9, 2023
It is human nature to not want to give up once we’ve invested time and money because of Sunk Cost Fallacy.
From Slate • Sep. 26, 2022
Sunk costs refer to the time, energy, money, or other costs that have been paid in the past.
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
Zara and I get the trophy for the Most Original Boat That Could Have Won but Sunk, which Nate and I think is the most hilarious thing ever.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
