extinct

adjective

ex·tinct | \ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t,

ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t

Definition of extinct

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : no longer burning

b : no longer active an extinct volcano

2 : no longer existing an extinct animal

3a : gone out of use : superseded

b : having no qualified claimant an extinct title

extinct

verb

extincted; extincting; extincts

Definition of extinct (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

archaic

: extinguish

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about extinct

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Synonyms & Antonyms for extinct

Synonyms: Adjective

bygone, bypast, dead, defunct, departed, done, expired, gone, nonextant, vanished

Antonyms: Adjective

alive, existent, existing, extant, living

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: Adjective

The traditional center is extinct, but the very tall human is making a comeback, complete with a level of skill and mobility that suits current times. — Jerry Brewer, chicagotribune.com, "The NBA draft will show big men are back in fashion. And now they can do it all.," 21 June 2018 That starts with the premise, which goes as follows: It's been three years since catastrophe befell Jurassic World, and the remaining dinosaurs on Isla Nublar are about to go extinct. — refinery29.com, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," 5 June 2018 Park officials say without a reliable wildlife crossing over the freeway, the small pocket of mountain lions there will lose genetic diversity to the point the population will eventually go extinct. — Joseph Serna, latimes.com, "Cameras capture a mountain lion using a culvert to cross 101 Freeway," 14 Mar. 2018 At that rate, the species could go extinct by 2040, scientists say. — David Abel, BostonGlobe.com, "After year of record deaths, right whales produce no new calves, which could be ‘catastrophic’," 26 Feb. 2018 Instead, born in Virginia, Tom Wolfe was that nearly extinct creature, the Southern gentleman. — Roger Kimball, WSJ, "Tom Wolfe Had the Right Stuff," 15 May 2018 To protect species of nearly extinct fish, pumping often gets throttled back, allowing water that would otherwise be sent to farms and cities to wash out to the ocean. — Ryan Sabalow, sacbee, "Did Gov. Brown promise the Bay Area a new reservoir in exchange for Delta tunnels support? | The Sacramento Bee," 30 Apr. 2018 The winegrower, who champions indigenous grapes like the nearly extinct mandó, ages wine in ancient amphorae that are housed in a cellar carved out of bedrock beneath the property. — Ellen Bhang, BostonGlobe.com, "Distinctive Spanish pours are a breath of fresh air," 23 Apr. 2018 This obscure white grape historically used primarily for blending with trebbiano in Abruzzo and Puglia was nearly extinct, says Le Virtù co-owner Francis Cratil-Cretarola, until Cantina Frentana began making it on its own. — Craig Laban, Philly.com, "Nearly extinct grape of Abruzzo remembered by the glass in South Philly," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extinct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.