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b : no longer active an extinct volcano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3a : gone out of use : superseded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

Scientists studying bones unearthed from an ancient tomb in China’s Shaanxi Province have discovered the remains of a new but totally extinct species of ape. — James Rogers, Fox News, "Mysterious remains of extinct ape discovered in ancient Chinese tomb," 22 June 2018 Other researchers are tracing the evolution of the Y chromosome and comparing the version found in modern men with those of our close relatives, both living and extinct. — Natalie Angier, New York Times, "Secrets of the Y Chromosome," 11 June 2018 This evidence of an interaction between human and extinct giant sloth is ‘‘unique in the world,’’ Belvedere said. — Ben Guarino, BostonGlobe.com, "Fossil footprints show a human chasing an extinct giant sloth," 26 Apr. 2018 Smith and her colleagues say that was probably the legacy of thousands of years of interactions between hominins and other African mammals, which drove larger species extinct and exerted pressure that reduced the size of the surviving species. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Mammals are smaller than they used to be, and it’s our fault," 19 Apr. 2018 One-third of wildlife species in the U.S. are at risk of extinction, 40% of the nation's freshwater fish are rare or imperiled and 70% of freshwater mussel species are extinct or near extinction, for example. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Wildlife groups push bill to restore non-game species," 18 Apr. 2018 For The Golden Menagerie, that meant going to the museum of Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris to study rare and extinct animals of the past, which in turn influenced her designs. — Kristen Bateman, Town & Country, "Meet Temple St. Clair, the American Jeweler Who's Preserving Old-World Italian Craftsmanship," 28 June 2017 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

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.