EXTINCTION Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

extinction

noun

ik-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən

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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Recent Examples of extinction Once hunted to near-extinction for their eggs – used to make turtle soup – green turtle populations have risen significantly since the 1970s, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's 2025 update to its Red List of Threatened Species. —

Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 They were almost hunted to extinction due to the fur trade. —

Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The Hamm’s mascot emerged from hibernation this week to deny, deny, deny reports of its extinction. —

Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026 Minnesota is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with entire species being wiped out before they can even be identified. —

Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinction

Noun

But Church, undeterred, was drawn to the idea that those processes offered lessons in destruction and renewal which could be applied to a nation teetering on civil war.

— Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The bottom line is that the pressure on the great American people, because of these people who are, like, really intent on American and Israeli destruction with their nuclear weapons are still in power.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 May 2026