Vocabulary word Defunct - Practice with online flashcards, spelling bees and vocabulary quizzes

Absence and Lack

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Decline and Decay

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Decline and Disintegrate

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Deterioration and Decline

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Disappearance and Loss

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Elimination and Suspension

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Endings and Transitions

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Ineffectual and Obsolete

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Middle School 10

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Dictionary Definition of defunct

No longer in existence, operational, or functioning as it once did.
"The defunct factory was a reminder of the town's industrial decline."

Detailed Meaning of Defunct

When applied to an organization, business, or entity, it signifies that it has ceased to exist or operate, often due to closure, bankruptcy, or obsolescence. A defunct company, for example, no longer conducts business activities, and a defunct law or regulation is one that is no longer in effect or enforceable. This term conveys a sense of cessation and discontinuation, highlighting that the subject has come to an end or is no longer relevant or operational. "Defunct" is typically used to describe entities or systems that were once active but have since become obsolete or extinct.

Example Sentences for Defunct

1. The defunct factory became an art space for local creatives to showcase their work.
2. We stumbled upon a defunct railway track that had been overtaken by nature.
3. Many defunct businesses in the area were victims of the economic downturn.
4. The band announced they would revive songs from their defunct early years.
5. The town still has a theater, even though the old one is now defunct.
6. I found an old, defunct phone booth covered in graffiti and posters.

Origin and Etymology of Defunct

The adjective 'defunct' has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'defunctus,' which is the past participle of 'defungi.' 'Defungi' consists of 'de,' meaning 'completely,' and 'fungi,' meaning 'to perform' or 'to finish.' Therefore, the etymology of 'defunct' conveys the idea of something that has been completely finished or has ceased to function. In English, it is used to describe things that are no longer in existence, operational, or functioning as they once did. The term 'defunct' emphasizes the state of being utterly finished or no longer active, reflecting its historical connection to the concept of cessation or the end of an entity's existence or functionality.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective defunct:

functioning

obsolete

active

operational

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Defunct

1. The defunct amusement park was eerie, with rusting rides and empty stalls.
2. The defunct spacecraft remains in orbit, serving as a satellite graveyard.
3. Nostalgia filled the room as they discussed their favorite defunct TV shows.
4. The government plans to demolish the defunct power plant next year.
5. Many defunct brands are becoming popular again thanks to retro trends.
6. The defunct coal mine has since been transformed into a tourist attraction.
7. We visited a defunct military base that is now a museum and event space.
8. The island houses a defunct lighthouse, which has become a popular photo spot.
9. He collects memorabilia from defunct airlines as a unique hobby.
10. The law is now defunct after being declared unconstitutional by the courts.
11. The defunct website had been an important archive for early internet culture.
12. Investors are hesitant to pour money into the defunct shopping mall.
13. The defunct newspaper was revived in a digital format by a group of journalists.
14. My grandfather told stories of a defunct train station he used as a young man.
15. The defunct factory district is now a bustling area full of cafes and galleries.
16. The defunct ski resort was bought and restored by an enthusiastic entrepreneur.
17. The stadium was abandoned and defunct for years before its recent renovation.
18. I keep a defunct camera as a reminder of my early days in photography.
19. The defunct video store has become a quirky local coffee shop.
20. We walked past a defunct gas station, now covered in ivy and flowers.
21. A defunct theater downtown is being considered for historical preservation.
22. The defunct robotics company was once a pioneer in AI technology.
23. The defunct asylum has been the subject of many urban legends and myths.
24. After the merger, the defunct logo was replaced with a new, modern design.