as in defunct
no longer existing
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
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Recent Examples of extinct
The Lost Birds List instead identifies species that have not been observed for long periods but are not yet confirmed extinct.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
The species has endured across geological ages while countless other animals went extinct.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Non-avian dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years before the appearance of human beings.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Because ghost wolves have DNA from red wolves — a species once believed to be extinct and now existing only through captive breeding recovery programs — some researchers say preserving the hybrid coyote-wolf and its DNA could help bring back red wolves to their historic range.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
The species has endured across geological ages while countless other animals went extinct.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Non-avian dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years before the appearance of human beings.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Because ghost wolves have DNA from red wolves — a species once believed to be extinct and now existing only through captive breeding recovery programs — some researchers say preserving the hybrid coyote-wolf and its DNA could help bring back red wolves to their historic range.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinct
Adjective
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Caryn Marjorie, a 26-year-old lifestyle influencer, signed a deal in 2023 with a now defunct startup called Forever Voices to develop a digital clone of herself that fans could talk to.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 2026
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The Chicago Stars Football Club, formerly called the Chicago Red Stars, was a founding member of the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer League, and has played in the National Women’s Soccer League since 2013.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Retaining Hall, 39, keeps one familiar face from Dart’s rookie year on the offensive side of the building for his second NFL season, with Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka and Shea Tierney all long gone.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His most common citation was for an expired meter — 14,409 citations in the year.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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Filled the trash with expired food.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Technicians will replace obsolete components, including transistors and rectifiers, before rebuilding and testing each unit.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
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The six-story, 470,000-square-foot building, bordered by Eighth, Ninth, G and H streets, had long been derided by Sacramento Superior Court and city leaders as too obsolete, undersized, and unsafe to conduct court business.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinct. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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