Definition

Adjective 1. Doomed to failure or extinction; in a hopeless situation. This describes a state of being beyond recovery or rescue, often due to a past event or decision. 2. ​(past participle of the verb 'sink') Having been submerged, descended, or lowered. This describes the state resulting from the action of sinking.

Usage

• Adjective (Hopeless): Used to describe a person, project, or situation that is certain to fail or is already ruined.
  • Example: "After the scandal, his political career was sunk."
  • Example: "Without their star player, the team is sunk."
• Adjective (Submerged): Used to describe something that has gone beneath a surface, especially water.
  • Example: "The sunk treasure lay at the bottom of the ocean for centuries."
  • Example: "They gazed at the sunk shipwreck through the glass-bottom boat."

Advanced Usage

• "Sunk cost": An economic and business term for money that has already been spent and cannot be recovered. This concept is often used to argue against continuing a failing project just because resources have already been invested.
  • Example: "We shouldn't throw more money at this; it's a sunk cost."

Variants and Related Words

• Sink (verb): To descend or cause to descend below a surface; to decrease in amount, intensity, or value.
  • Example: "The stone will sink in water." / "Her voice sank to a whisper."
• Sunken (adjective): Often used interchangeably with 'sunk' for the submerged meaning, but more commonly describes something that has become hollow or depressed.
  • Example: "a sunken ship" / "sunken eyes from lack of sleep."

Synonyms

• Doomed: Certain to fail or suffer death, destruction, or a terrible fate.
• Ruined: Brought to a state of destruction or collapse.
• Finished: At an end; no longer effective or successful.
• Lost: Unable to be recovered or won.
• Submerged: Under the surface of water or another liquid.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Sunk without a trace: To fail or disappear completely and without any sign of success.
  • Example: "His ambitious proposal sank without a trace in the committee meeting."
• A sunk ship: A situation or endeavor that is already a complete failure.
  • Example: "Trying to revive that old brand is like trying to bail out a sunk ship."

Adjective

1. doomed to extinction