extinct

adjective ex·tinct \ ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t , ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t \

Definition of extinct

1 a :no longer burning

b :no longer active

an extinct volcano

2 :no longer existing

an extinct animal

3 a :gone out of use :superseded

b :having no qualified claimant

an extinct title

See extinct defined for English-language learners

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Examples of extinct in a Sentence

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 of extinct from the Web

When the events of Game of Thrones take place, people believe Children of the Forest have either gone extinct or live far beyond the wall.

— matt miller, Esquire, "What's the Deal With the Children of the Forest on Game of Thrones?," 10 Aug. 2017
But once giant sloths, stag-moose and mastodons became extinct and human developments grew across North America, the California condor population took a nosedive.

— kyle frischkorn, Smithsonian, "Behind the Scenes: Skinning Condors in the Name of Science," 26 July 2017
A group of researchers at the University of Alberta managed to recreate a relative of smallpox called horsepox, another extinct virus.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "It's Astonishingly Easy to Bring Back Smallpox," 7 July 2017
Without further intervention, the creatures could go extinct as early as next year, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Mexico Will Use Dolphins to Herd the Endangered Vaquita to Safety," 6 July 2017
That's a lot of plants that need tender love and care – and money – to keep them from going extinct.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Extreme botany: How far should we go to save a plant species?," 5 July 2017
So it was forgotten, and it was thought to be extinct.

— CBS News, "The return of an heirloom watermelon," 2 July 2017
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
Two calves of an African antelope species that may be extinct in its native habitat will go on exhibit Thursday at the Kansas City Zoo.

— matt campbell, kansascity.com, "Two calves of critically endangered African antelope species debut at Kansas City Zoo," 28 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of extinct

Middle English, from Latin exstinctus, past participle of exstinguere

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First Known Use: 15th century

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extinct Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

alive, existent, existing, extant, living

Related Words

nonexistent; dying, faded, moribund; collapsed, fallen, overthrown; antiquated, dated, obsolete, passé; finished, lapsed, terminated; lost, missing

Near Antonyms

active, dynamic, thriving, vibrant

extinct

verb

Definition of extinct

transitive verb

archaic

:extinguish

First Known Use of extinct

15th century

EXTINCT Defined for English Language Learners

extinct

adjective

Definition of extinct for English Language Learners

: no longer existing
: no longer active

EXTINCT Defined for Kids

extinct

adjective ex·tinct \ ik-ˈstiŋkt \

Definition of extinct for Students

1 :no longer active

an extinct volcano

2 :no longer existing

Dinosaurs are extinct.

Medical Dictionary

extinct

adjective ex·tinct \ ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t , ˈek-ˌ \

medical Definition of extinct

:no longer existing :lacking living representatives

extinct prehistoric animals

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extinct

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Origin and Etymology of extinct

extinct Synonyms

Synonyms

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extinct

Definition of extinct

First Known Use of extinct

EXTINCT Defined for English Language Learners

extinct

Definition of extinct for English Language Learners

EXTINCT Defined for Kids

extinct

Definition of extinct for Students

Medical Dictionary

extinct

medical Definition of extinct

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