extinguish

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
extinguished; extinguishing; extinguishes

transitive verb

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
extinguishable adjective
extinguisher noun
extinguishment noun

Example Sentences

The fire department was called in to extinguish the blaze. He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance. News of the conflict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Recent Examples on the Web The fire was likely caused by a generator and was extinguished by an onboard fire suppression system, Blanchard said. Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 6 June 2023 More than half a dozen houseboats momentarily caught fire at a popular boating destination on the Utah-Arizona line on Friday, igniting while tourists and jet skiers stood by before the flames were extinguished. Sam Metz And Rio Yamat, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2023 During the service, the pensioner with a powder-blue headscarf helps light and extinguish prayer candles. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2023 Once the blaze was extinguished, firefighters found the unresponsive victim inside. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 23 May 2023 The flames from Tuesday’s apartment-building fire at Southwest 14th Avenue and Taylor Street have been completely extinguished after Portland Fire & Rescue stayed on the scene overnight to continue dumping water on the building, the fire bureau said. oregonlive, 17 May 2023 Stephen Curry led Golden State with 27, hitting a huge three at the buzzer before half and extinguishing the Lakers’ comeback attempts in the fourth with seven-straight points for Golden State. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023 Two dozen fire personnel and 10 pieces of equipment were needed to knock down the flames, which took about 15 minutes to get under control and another 90 minutes to ensure it was completely extinguished, the release said. Naperville Sun Staff, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2023 An unconditioned model might tell you how to build a bomb, that one race should extinguish another, or try to convince you to jump off a cliff. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 9 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extinguish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of extinguish was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near extinguish

Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinguish. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

extinguish

verb
ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-gwish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
1
: to cause to stop burning
2
: to cause to die out
extinguishable adjective
extinguisher noun

Medical Definition

extinguish

transitive verb
ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
extinguish an avoidance response

Legal Definition

extinguish

transitive verb
ex·​tin·​guish
1
: to cause the nonexistence of : do away with
2
: to cause (as a claim or right) to be void : nullify
3
: to get rid of (a debt or other liability) by payment or other compensatory adjustment
extinguishable adjective
extinguishment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extinguish

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