Can I use defunct in academic writing?

What is the difference between defunct and obsolete?

← Dictionary

defunct

/dɪˈfʌŋkt/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

No longer operating or existing; out of use.

The company is now defunct.
This defunct policy is no longer used.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: defunct differs from obsolete (normal wear over time) and extinct (living species gone); it suits formal cases like organizations or laws that ended. Unlike discontinued, defunct often implies a total end with no replacement. Choose defunct in academic writing to stress that something is no longer active.

In other languages

Spanish: caducado
Japanese: 廃止された
Korean: 폐지된
Vietnamese: ngừng hoạt động
Chinese: 已废弃的

Common phrases

now defunct lawa defunct projectonce a defunct brand

Synonyms

dead extinct obsolete discontinued inoperative

Frequently asked questions

Is defunct formal or informal?: Is defunct formal or informal?
Can I use defunct in academic writing?: Can I use defunct in academic writing?
What is the difference between defunct and obsolete?: What is the difference between defunct and obsolete?
Is defunct a common word?: Is defunct a common word?