extinguish

ex·tin·guish

transitive verb \ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish\

Definition of EXTINGUISH

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

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>

— ex·tin·guish·able \-(g)wi-shə-bəl\ adjective

— ex·tin·guish·er \-shər\ noun

— ex·tin·guish·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of EXTINGUISH

1. The fire department was called in to extinguish the blaze.
2. He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray.
3. They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance.
4. News of the conflict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Origin of EXTINGUISH

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

Related to EXTINGUISH

Synonyms

blanket, douse (also dowse), put out, quench, snuff (out)

Antonyms

fire, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, light

Related Words

choke, smother, suffocate; blow out, rub out, snub (out), stamp (out), stub

Near Antonyms

doctor, fix, mend, patch, recondition, repair, revamp; create, invent; assemble, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, mold, produce, shape; bring about, constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize; conserve, preserve, protect, save; rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, renovate, restore

ex·tin·guish

transitive verb \ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EXTINGUISH

: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response) <extinguish an avoidance response>