extinguish

1 of 2

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

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

extinguished the candles

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

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl 

adjective

extinguisher

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shər 

noun

extinguishment

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish-mənt 

noun

extinguisher

2 of 2

noun

ex·​tin·​guish·​er -shə(r) 

plural -s

1

: one that extinguishes

specifically : extinguishant

2

a

: a hollow conical cap typically of metal that is used for extinguishing the flame of a candle, lamp, or torch

b

: a mechanical device that throws out fire-extinguishing chemicals : fire extinguisher

Synonyms of extinguish

Verb

• choke
• quench
• blanket
• douse

Examples of extinguish in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Emergency crews are still scrambling to contain ferocious blazes in Spain and France, where authorities have warned wildfires could burn for several months before they are fully extinguished. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Trees ignite, flames spread through the canopy, smoke rises into the atmosphere, and firefighters eventually extinguish the blaze. — Phil De Luna, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

But any hope Piastri had of staying in contention against Norris was extinguished in his bizarre clash with Carlos Sainz, the Williams driver Piastri was coming up to lap a few laps after his second stop. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2026

For decades, the military has extinguished fires using foams containing toxic PFAS. — Austin Fast, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin exstinguere (from ex- + stinguere to extinguish) + English -ish (as in abolish); akin to Latin instigare to incite — more at stick

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for extinguish

• distinguish

Kids Definition

extinguish

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-gwish 

1

: to cause to stop burning

2

: to cause to die out

extinguishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

extinguisher noun

Medical Definition

extinguish

transitive verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

: 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