Definition of extinguishnext
1
as in to choke
to cause to cease burning the fire in the skillet was quickly extinguished by slamming the lid on

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2
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of a fatal blunder that extinguished all hope that the team would actually win the play-offs

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3
as in to shush
to stop the noise or speech of her final, telling point extinguished her opponents on the city council

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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 extinguish Meraz said his family was extra careful extinguishing their fireworks. Noah Daly july 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026 The fire was isolated to a meat case and has since been extinguished, said Mabrie Jackson, H-E-B’s managing director of public affairs. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026 Firefighting efforts are still underway, although media reports now say the open flames have been largely extinguished. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 9 July 2026 The blaze caused extensive damage to the store’s floor before the proprietor extinguished it, the feds say. John Annese, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
  • This practice carries risks, such as choking and aspiration, or food entering the airway.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Historically, modest fires every seven to 20 years kept forests from being overgrown and choked with highly flammable dead wood and brush, Williams said.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • But there have been no exact numbers of how many missiles and drones Iran had when the war began or how many have since been used or destroyed.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
    Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Keeping water with you at all times is a given, but many Floridians reach for more than just H2O to quench their thirst.
    Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
  • The uncomplicated sweetness of blackberries creates a flavorful base for a shrub, the tart, thirst-quenching non-alcoholic beverage.
    Anna Kovel, Martha Stewart, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • West Harbor is the redevelopment of the former waterfront Ports O'Call Village, which was demolished in 2018.
    Julie Sharp, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • The two-acre space was the site of the California State Building, which suffered systemic damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and was demolished five years later.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The case has prompted widespread condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations, which have accused Beijing of using national security laws to silence dissent.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Spectators should silence their phones near the court To further reduce distractions, Wimbledon's official 2026 Ticket Holder Handbook lists cell phone rules attendees should abide by while watching matches.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • With one acrobatic slam after another, Yaxel Lendeborg cut through the sleepy atmosphere blanketing the pregame layup lines, injecting some energy into a crowd that was waiting to watch the team’s first summer league game at Chase Center on Friday.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories blanket the National Weather Service's July 4 map from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to the South, Midwest and north Texas.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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