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
Instant extinctions are not limited to mechanical innovations like photography and cinematography, however.
—
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Although the cartilaginous fish have survived the last five extinctions our planet has faces, more than a third of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
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, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Although the cartilaginous fish have survived the last five extinctions our planet has faces, more than a third of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
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, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
That stint came to an end in April, though, following friendly losses to Egypt and Serbia.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
That has gotten him through all of the losses.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The measure would suspend Historic Preservation Board review across the Downtown Historic District for three years, routing decisions — including demolitions — around the board entirely.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2026
-
There are strict rules in California around the purchasing of dynamite, which is generally restricted to licensed professionals working in mining and quarry operations, building demolitions, tunneling projects and specialized industrial activities.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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