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 Traffic cameras showed an ambulance and two fire trucks responding, and something had visibly been extinguished. Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026 Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and removed two women from the house. Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Verona is about halfway between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the two host cities for the Games, and people in the stadium watched via video link as the Olympic flames were extinguished in each city’s cauldron. Peter Weber, TheWeek, 23 Feb. 2026 Russia also struck energy infrastructure in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, resulting in significant fires, which were later extinguished, the emergency service said. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
  • Recalled because a mixing error resulted in small cornstarch clumps in the product, resulting in a choking hazard.
    Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Levy brought the dog in dead and claimed that that the dog had a seizure and was vomiting, choking and twitching before his death.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Gizmodo continues that the results of the CT scans astonished researchers because her right TMJ, near the ear, had been destroyed.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Half a million acres burned, destroying $300 million in timber and at least 150 homes and other structures.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.
    Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This rich yet silky balm delivers up to 24 hours of hydration, instantly quenching dry, chapped lips and locking in moisture for lasting softness.
    Lily Wohlner, Allure, 22 Feb. 2026
  • In light of growing energy use, solar and wind can help quench that demand.
    Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The referendum sought funds to expand and renovate the school's North Campus building and demolish the school's South Campus building.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The city had permitted the project to partially demolish a preexisting, two-story, two-unit dwelling, which was planned to be enlarged into a four-story, seven-unit building, a DOB spokesman said.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Hate speech can silence its targets.
    Stephanie A, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
  • For me, latex will always be connected to silence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cruising through a landscape blanketed with a fresh coat of snow is a dreamy way to travel during what, for many destinations, is the off-season.
    Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The National Weather Service has issued winter alerts across Minnesota on Wednesday due to a snowstorm set to blanket the state.
    Joseph Dames, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Top awards executive Lisa Taback had her luggage ruined as well.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
  • That’s when my Samsonite Paralux Carry-on ruined me for all other take-aboard luggage.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

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