ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t 
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
a
: no longer burning
an extinct fire
an extinct hope
b
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct animal
3
a
: gone out of use : superseded
extinct customs
b
: having no qualified claimant
an extinct title
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
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
These coiled, shelled relatives of squid and octopuses were abundant predators, hunting in the same waters as fish, turtles, sharks and extinct marine reptiles called plesiosaurs.
—Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
In Nigeria, the animal is already extinct.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans had not become extinct.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
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Adjective
Wild beavers went extinct in the UK around 400 years ago, as humans hunted them for their fur, meat and scent gland secretions, which have a musky, vanilla-like fragrance and were used as food flavoring and in perfumes.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
These coiled, shelled relatives of squid and octopuses were abundant predators, hunting in the same waters as fish, turtles, sharks and extinct marine reptiles called plesiosaurs.
—Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
In Nigeria, the animal is already extinct.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans had not become extinct.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
extinct
adjective
ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌ
ˈek-ˌ
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals
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