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: no longer active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: gone out of use : superseded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
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Sadly, one day the dinosaur became extinct.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the letter, the conference describes tampering rules as having been drafted during a now-extinct college sports world where the thought of schools sharing revenue with athletes would have been dismissed.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Georgia also has a tradition of small-batch, noncommercial production that fits with an ephemeral product like the wine, which effectively goes extinct by the end of the season.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
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Adjective
The Karner Blue butterfly is extinct in Indiana, unable to fly across a highway to reach wild lupine on the other side, Sipple said.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Sadly, one day the dinosaur became extinct.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the letter, the conference describes tampering rules as having been drafted during a now-extinct college sports world where the thought of schools sharing revenue with athletes would have been dismissed.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Georgia also has a tradition of small-batch, noncommercial production that fits with an ephemeral product like the wine, which effectively goes extinct by the end of the season.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 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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