extinguish

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

extinguished; extinguishing; extinguishes

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to bring to an end : make an end of

hope for their safety was slowly extinguished

(2)

: to reduce to silence or ineffectiveness

b

: to cause to cease burning : quench

extinguished the candles

c

: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)

d

: to dim the brightness of : eclipse

2

a

: to cause to be void : nullify

extinguish a claim

b

: to get rid of usually by payment

extinguish a debt

extinguishable

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl 

adjective

extinguisher

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shər 

noun

extinguishment

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of extinguish

• choke
• quench
• blanket
• douse

Examples of extinguish in a Sentence

The fire department was called in to extinguish the blaze.

He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray.

They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance.

News of the conflict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Recent Examples on the Web

Crews have remained on scene working to fully extinguish the fire, which can take longer with lithium-ion battery incidents due to the risk of reignition. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Crews worked to extinguish a fire on the east side of the building, which was quickly brought under control. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026

The cigar ashes were traced to Hilary Brooke Inman, 38, of Marion, who faces a misdemeanor charge of starting a woodland fire and not extinguishing it, state officials said. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026

Deputies tried to extinguish the fire but could not contain the flames. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin exstinguere (from ex- + stinguere to extinguish) + English -ish (as in abolish); akin to Latin instigare to incite — more at stick

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for extinguish

• distinguish

Kids Definition

extinguish

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-gwish 

1

: to cause to stop burning

2

: to cause to die out

extinguishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

extinguisher noun

Medical Definition

extinguish

transitive verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)

extinguish an avoidance response

Legal Definition

extinguish

transitive verb

ex·​tin·​guish

1

: to cause the nonexistence of : do away with

2

: to cause (as a claim or right) to be void : nullify

3

: to get rid of (a debt or other liability) by payment or other compensatory adjustment

extinguishable adjective

extinguishment noun