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 Firefighters found the body of 56-year-old Irene Gaw-Lai after extinguishing a residential fire in the 2600 block of Lorain Road on the morning of Jan. 6, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Clara Harter follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025 The fire was extinguished using a portable water pump with the help of a Gainesville Fire Department rescue boat, Hall County Fire Rescue said. Faris Tanyos july 4, CBS News, 4 July 2025 The car then burst into flames, and firefighters extinguished a blaze that extended across the local countryside. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 July 2025 Fire crews are continuing to work to maintain containment lines, ensure that all embers or hot spots are extinguished and protect nearby communities. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
  • The boy stuck his head through the dividers and appeared to be choking, according to the witness, who said Smith laughed and pushed the boy’s head back through the divider.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • In addition to the chickens, Frank flushed his shoes down one of the toilets, Dennis and Dee kept blowing fuses with the scheme's need for a power-sucking vacuum sealer, and the basement was choked with carbon monoxide.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Experts have long assumed that the instrument had been destroyed or lost to history.
    Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • The fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge was burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
    AZCentral.com, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • For a start, the cheers from the nearby Andy Murray Arena are loud and booming, but so too is the exclusive balcony area hanging just to the side of the court, where people are sipping their wine or their Pimm’s and chatting loudly (the judge on court 1 has to shush them at one point).
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • The crowd had just spent an entire overtime shushing each other.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Looking for good craft beer to quench your thirst during the heat of Ohio's summer?
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 18 July 2025
  • While lemonade might not be medicine, there’s still science behind its ability to quench your thirst on the hottest of days.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.
    Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 July 2025
  • An existing, 38,000-square-foot building on the site will be demolished in that development.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • This option allows priority notifications — like severe weather alerts — to interrupt you while still silencing less urgent messages.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 10 July 2025
  • Elections are tightly controlled, opposition is criminalized, political parties are banned, and dissenters—even peaceful ones are silenced.
    Roya Boroumand, Time, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • As Elia trudged down the left-field line to the clubhouse after the game, a dozen or so alleged Cub fans doused Moreland with stale beer and hurled verbal abuse at Larry Bowa.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • Additionally, after the verdict, several people gathered outside the courtroom and publicly doused themselves with baby oil.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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