1
as in to choke
to cause to cease burning
the fire in the skillet was quickly extinguished by slamming the lid on
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extinguish
Firefighters mostly extinguished the fire within 30 minutes of their arrival.
—
Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Such reins on an industry that has billed itself as capable of extinguishing humankind are, theoretically, in everyone’s interest.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The fire took more than two weeks to extinguish fully.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Such reins on an industry that has billed itself as capable of extinguishing humankind are, theoretically, in everyone’s interest.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The fire took more than two weeks to extinguish fully.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
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The zipper slider on the bear's side pouch can detach, possibly causing a risk of serious injury or death from a choking hazard to children, per the notice.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Authorities said the woman was assaulted in her bedroom and that the man also attempted to choke her.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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To the point where Reid shushed him down at times.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Lyonne shushed the staffer, got up and headed to the bathroom, according to Page Six.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Bradenton Police Department shared adorable video that showed a parched manatee taking a break and quenching its thirst with some fresh water that was coming off a police boat.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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On a Monday last spring, Guelleh stood watching a procession of goats, donkeys and camels quenching their thirst at the water tank that once supplied his field.—
Julie Bourdin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Browns will pay for their current home to be demolished after the 2028 season, which will make way for lakefront development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Trump has overseen dramatic cosmetic changes on the White House grounds during his second term, including paving over the grassy line of the famous Rose Garden and demolishing the White House's East Wing to make way for a massive ballroom.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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First Amendment experts warn the bill could silence legitimate criticism and newsworthy reporting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
The silence is no longer just silence Taken together, the absence of both signals and physical visitation leads to a more quantitative conclusion than SETI has traditionally offered.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
You'll be rewarded each year when they are blanketed with flowers.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
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Many homeowners who want to kill dandelions opt for spot-treating with non-harmful products or pulling them by hand with a long taproot tool — both of which avoid blanketing the entire yard.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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Safeguarding the location of the Bezos’ party could save the man Forbes calls the world’s fourth-richest person from having protesters ruin his evening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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