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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of extinguish
International aid efforts must reverse and extinguish starvation; restore fully functional health and sanitation services throughout the territory; and ensure that Gazans have access to clean water and safe shelter.
—
Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames that were coming from one unit.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Like a true professional, the actor quickly flicks the photo and extinguishes the blaze without ever breaking character — despite internally freaking out — to nail the perfect shot.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Keep a hose, bucket of water, or a shovel with dirt or sand nearby to extinguish a fire.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames that were coming from one unit.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Like a true professional, the actor quickly flicks the photo and extinguishes the blaze without ever breaking character — despite internally freaking out — to nail the perfect shot.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Keep a hose, bucket of water, or a shovel with dirt or sand nearby to extinguish a fire.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
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During the previous school year, the boy strangled and choked a teacher and pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground, the lawsuit claims.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The figure of Achilles, a warrior who singlehandedly choked a river with dead enemies before taking on the river god himself, provided a model for Alexander the Great and persists in contemporary popular entertainment, political speech, and military culture in celebrations of shock and awe.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Teddy is a conspiracy theorist who believes Michelle is an alien hellbent on destroying Earth.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the clip, the then-6-year-old can be seen walking with his iPad to the next room and shushing everyone.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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The View has a long history of guests receiving sustained standing ovations — and Goldberg attempting to shush rowdy audience members.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This rich yet silky balm delivers up to 24 hours of moisture, instantly quenching dry, chapped lips and locking it in for lasting softness.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
25 Oct. 2025
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French smart telescope pioneer Vaonis helps quench my thirst with a special edition of its flagship that puts the inner workings on view.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump exposed a 'loophole' to demolish the White House East Wing.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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The ballroom project has stirred controversy, as the East Wing, home of the First Lady’s staff and long a grand entrance for White House events, was demolished to make room for the new ballroom.—
Kate Wolffe
October 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most notably, clowns were tamed, silenced, and directed to reimagine their physical comedy to appeal to the youngest viewers.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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Others said preachers twisted scripture to silence them.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While Powell doused talk of a December cut, ending QT then could have a similar impact.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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The lawsuit said the shower doused Johnson with water heated to around 135 degrees, far above the legal maximum of 120 degrees under California’s Plumbing Code.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Chiefs have seen some of league’s premier running backs — such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs — and have met each challenge, preventing those elite players from ruining the defensive game plan.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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