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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extinction
The species were hunted to extinction in the area in the 16th century, driven by a demand for their fur, meat and castoreum, which is a chemical excreted from a gland at the base of their tails that was used for food flavoring, as well as the perfume industry, per the outlet.
—
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Another Antarctic species -- the Southern elephant seal -- is also now at risk of extinction due to bird flu, moving from least concern to vulnerable, according to researchers.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Climate change is pushing two iconic Antarctic species toward the brink of extinction — the emperor penguin and the Antarctic fur seal, a new assessment finds.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
The bigger eggs are also much more resistant to drying—a vital strength during the harsh climate following the extinction event.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Another Antarctic species -- the Southern elephant seal -- is also now at risk of extinction due to bird flu, moving from least concern to vulnerable, according to researchers.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Climate change is pushing two iconic Antarctic species toward the brink of extinction — the emperor penguin and the Antarctic fur seal, a new assessment finds.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
The bigger eggs are also much more resistant to drying—a vital strength during the harsh climate following the extinction event.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinction
Noun
-
The incident prompted Christian leaders from around the world — including Pope Leo XIV — to urge Israel to stop its destruction of holy sites and civilian lives in Gaza and the West Bank.—
April 20,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
May the world know that Americans are ashamed and suffering and locked into despair and destruction, which now affects the world.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In an interview with the editorial board, Prang was asked what effect the devastation of the Eaton and Palisades fires in January 2025 would have on his office.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The devastation resulted in 235 buildings destroyed and the death of 72 townspeople; 205 others suffered injuries.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The aim is for Abdul to cause havoc in the United States, the West Bank and Iran.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In the twentieth century, the same storms that made headlines in New York wreaked quieter havoc across the river.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For thousands of data-loss victims, the last resort is a recovery service called DriveSavers.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The lack of disclosure comes as other states record mounting losses in tax revenue to data center subsidies.—
Kevin Hardy,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trump has also repeatedly railed against a federal judge who ordered construction on the ballroom — which required the surprise demolition of the White House’s East Wing — to be temporarily halted until the president receives authorization from Congress.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
One minute, the robots are a construction crew, and the next, a demolition team.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While extinctions are always multi-faceted, the extermination of some species can be almost directly linked to the insatiable appetites of modern humans.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
All of his family except Harris and two of his sisters was deported to the Nazis’ Treblinka extermination camp and ultimately murdered.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinction. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
