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
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
Yet, there are some extinctions that have felt significantly more tragic than others.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Yet, there are some extinctions that have felt significantly more tragic than others.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
Despite the losses, Damon traveled to Texas and won the national title, dedicating the victory to his family and supporters.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The governor on Wednesday was in Los Angeles meeting with local officials and residents on the anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, among the deadliest and most destructive in state history with insured losses estimated to reach $40 billion.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Israel says the operation aims to root out armed groups and says the demolitions are needed to destroy militant infrastructure or to clear routes for troops.—
Aref Tufaha,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The demolitions come amid sustained Israeli military operations in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, including Nur Shams, Tulkarm and Jenin.—
Mohammed Tawfeeq,
CNN Money,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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