sinkable

This term describes a vulnerability to descent or failure, whether literal or figurative. In a maritime context, it refers to the physical capacity of a vessel to be overwhelmed by water, often used in technical discussions about hull integrity or buoyancy. It carries a sense of precariousness, suggesting that the object is not impervious to the forces acting against it.

When applied to people or reputations, the word shifts toward a social or professional connotation of fragility. It suggests that a person's status is no longer secure and that a single mistake or revelation could lead to a total collapse of their standing. This usage is less common than the physical sense but provides a sharp contrast to the concept of being unsinkable.