is defunct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is defunct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is no longer in operation, functioning, or relevant. Example: "The old software program is defunct and no longer receives updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Minamisoma is defunct," she said.

The New York Times

The company is defunct.

The New York Times

That myth is defunct now.

The New Yorker

Its Web site is defunct.

The New York Times

Two years later, it is defunct.

The Washington Post

His old Mac Classic computer is defunct.

The Guardian - Arts

The Works Progress Administration is defunct.

The New York Times - Arts

That doesn't mean the old-world corporation is defunct.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He also owned El Imparcial, a newspaper that is defunct.

The New York Times

Daydreaming is defunct now we all have phones to scroll.

The Guardian - Opinion

Block, N. The higher order approach to consciousness is defunct.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company or organization, use "is defunct" to clearly indicate that it is no longer operating or in business.

Common error

Avoid using "defunct" interchangeably with terms like "dormant" or "inactive" if you mean that something is temporarily paused rather than permanently terminated. "Defunct" implies a complete end to operation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is defunct" functions as a stative verb phrase that describes the current condition of a noun, indicating that it is no longer operational, existent, or functional. Ludwig confirms it is a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is defunct" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that is no longer in operation or existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially news, media, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject is indeed permanently inactive, distinguishing it from temporary states like "inactive". Consider using alternative phrases like "is obsolete" or "is no longer in use" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is no longer in use

Focuses on the cessation of utilization.

is out of service

Emphasizes the unavailability for operation or assistance.

is non-operational

Highlights the inability to function.

is obsolete

Indicates being outdated and no longer applicable.

is a thing of the past

Suggests belonging to a previous era and being irrelevant now.

is invalid

Implies a lack of legal or factual basis.

is inoperative

Highlights a temporary or permanent state of not working.

is inactive

Focuses on the lack of activity or engagement.

is no longer viable

Indicates an inability to sustain or succeed.

has ceased to exist

Emphasizes the termination of existence.

FAQs

How can I use "is defunct" in a sentence?

You can use "is defunct" to describe something that no longer exists or functions, such as "The company "is no longer in business"" or "The old tradition "is a thing of the past"".

What are some alternatives to saying "is defunct"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is obsolete", "is no longer in use", or "has ceased to exist" instead of "is defunct".

Is it correct to say something "is defunct"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "is defunct" is a valid and usable phrase to describe something that is no longer functioning or in existence.

What is the difference between "is defunct" and "is inactive"?

"Is defunct" implies a permanent end to something's existence or operation, whereas "is inactive" suggests a temporary state of not being active. Something that "is inactive" may potentially resume functioning in the future, but something that "is defunct" will not.