as in devastations
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 extinctions
The fossil record suggests these massive creatures disappeared during the sweeping extinctions that marked the end of the Pleistocene.
—
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
For example, in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, invasive species like rats and feral cats are considered one of the main causes of extinctions, including to the islands’ famous birds.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
All part of our great age of extinctions.
—Robert Minhinnick, The Dial, 2 Oct. 2025
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
For example, in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, invasive species like rats and feral cats are considered one of the main causes of extinctions, including to the islands’ famous birds.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
All part of our great age of extinctions.
—Robert Minhinnick, The Dial, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
The analysis, released Friday by the California Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, found that meeting wildfire safety standards for roughly 30,000 homes within the Eaton and Pacific Palisades burn areas would significantly cut average annual losses.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Corona del Mar’s boys volleyball team recently suffered a couple of losses in the Sunset League.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The complex project rolled on, the state turning over $61 million of the subsidy in May 2025 to cover dozens of pending property sales and demolitions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The measures follow years of accusations by Palestinians that actions by settlers and the military — campaigns of violence, harassment and demolitions — have pushed them from their land.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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