ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t 
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
a
: no longer burning
an extinct fire
an extinct hope
b
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct animal
3
a
: gone out of use : superseded
extinct customs
b
: having no qualified claimant
an extinct title
Examples of extinct in a Sentence
Adjective
Many of these old traditions have since become extinct.
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
Recent Examples on the Web
George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
Since then, the editing capability of CRISPR has been tested on everything from developing disease treatments to engineering drought-resistant crops to resurrecting genes of extinct species.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026
Pedersen says that the museum contacted a scent fabricator, who recommended that the best way to mimic the droppings of this large, plant-eating beast would be to use the scent excreted by a non-extinct, similarly large vegetarian.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
The company became famous for efforts to revive extinct species such as the woolly mammoth and dire wolf.
—Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
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Adjective
Conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans had not become extinct.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
Since then, the editing capability of CRISPR has been tested on everything from developing disease treatments to engineering drought-resistant crops to resurrecting genes of extinct species.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026
Pedersen says that the museum contacted a scent fabricator, who recommended that the best way to mimic the droppings of this large, plant-eating beast would be to use the scent excreted by a non-extinct, similarly large vegetarian.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
The company became famous for efforts to revive extinct species such as the woolly mammoth and dire wolf.
—Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
extinct
adjective
ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌ
ˈek-ˌ
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals
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