to go down below the surface of water or another liquid and usually stay there
The small fishing boat began to sink after hitting a hidden rock.
If you drop that metal key, it will sink to the bottom of the clear blue pond.
✦ Old English ‘sincan’, meaning ‘to become submerged’.
to move slowly downwards or to a lower position, often because of weight, tiredness, or weakness
After running the marathon, he felt his knees sink toward the ground from exhaustion.
The heavy sofa caused the wooden floorboards to sink slightly in the middle.
to become lower in value, amount, or level
Share prices continued to sink after the disappointing earnings report.
Her spirits sank when she heard that the concert had been canceled.
to successfully hit, throw, or knock something into a hole, basket, or target
He sank the winning putt on the final green.
The rookie managed to sink a three-pointer just before the buzzer.
to destroy or disable a ship or boat so that it goes under water
The submarine sank an enemy destroyer during the night.
Pirates threatened to sink any ship that refused to surrender.
to dig or excavate something deep such as a well, shaft, or foundation
Engineers will sink a new well to supply water to the village.
The company sank two shafts before reaching the coal seam.
to put a lot of money, time, or effort into something, especially a project or business
They sank most of their savings into renovating the old farmhouse.
Investors are ready to sink millions into the new tech startup.
