as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the state's population of moose has been replenished, having once been hunted almost to extinction
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extinction
As the Earth's climate cooled and the oceans' ecosystems changed, Megalodon may have struggled to find sufficient food, leading to its extinction.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin had an emotional meeting with a pair of dire wolves, but many fans have shared the same unimpressed response, not quite able to believe a species was brought back from extinction before Martin finished the next book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Late Devonian extinction, nearly four hundred million years ago, annihilated the jawless fish.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
In the mid-1980s, the species was officially declared extinct in the wild, the final classification before complete extinction, including in captivity.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin had an emotional meeting with a pair of dire wolves, but many fans have shared the same unimpressed response, not quite able to believe a species was brought back from extinction before Martin finished the next book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Late Devonian extinction, nearly four hundred million years ago, annihilated the jawless fish.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
In the mid-1980s, the species was officially declared extinct in the wild, the final classification before complete extinction, including in captivity.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinction
Noun
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Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2025
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From hurricanes to wildfires, the U.S. has endured 403 billion-dollar climate and weather disasters since 1980—leaving behind a trail of destruction that’s cost the country more than $2.9 trillion.—
Mindy Lubber,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That doesn’t include further havoc caused during the upcoming rainy season.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Brady Tkachuk is considered an X-factor in this series because of his ability to create havoc in the corners and in front of the net.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Under the budget plan, overall NASA funding would drop to about $20 billion, down from $24.9 billion in fiscal year 2024, a loss of about 20%.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Cunningham’s injuries, also extensive, were detailed in the lawsuit, including significant disfigurement, extensive surgical reconstruction and loss of mobility.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Related article Clashes erupt in western India as Hindu groups demand demolition of Mughal ruler’s tomb Modi’s BJP denies using the Mughal emperor’s name to defame India’s Muslims.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
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The Need For Widespread Zoning Changes—From Commercial To Residential This could be the future for much of America’s excess office space—complete demolition to make way for the essential residential real estate that our country needs.—
David Marino,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinction. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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