defund

verb

de·​fund (ˌ)dē-ˈfənd How to pronounce defund (audio)
defunded; defunding; defunds

transitive verb

: to withdraw funding from

Examples of defund in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump may soon defund Maryland schools that teach gender identity or assist in social transitions of students who identify as transgender. Patrick Hauf, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025 Third District Supervisor Don Wagner asked staff for a report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs the county has, and suggested possibly considering a pause on such programs in light of the Trump administration’s plans to defund DEI initiatives. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025 All within the past two months, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a proposal to defund and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public universities, asking each school to submit a list of programs and classes related to DEI and critical race theory. Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 That uncertainty has grown in recent months as President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks have targeted the project as a waste of federal funding and U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R- Rocklin) has introduced legislation to defund it. Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for defund 

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defund was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near defund

Cite this Entry

“Defund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defund. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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