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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extinguish
At least seven workers were injured, and a fire sparked by the impact was later extinguished by emergency crews.
—
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
However, the fact that early Cretaceous tracks have been found in both the Brenton and Robberg Formations proves that further investigation might reveal that the monumental disaster did not extinguish these beloved and fearsome dinosaurs, at least, not yet.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The strike sparked a fire, which has since been extinguished, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Firefighters battled the fire for more than two hours and remained on scene for 15 hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished, officials said.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
However, the fact that early Cretaceous tracks have been found in both the Brenton and Robberg Formations proves that further investigation might reveal that the monumental disaster did not extinguish these beloved and fearsome dinosaurs, at least, not yet.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The strike sparked a fire, which has since been extinguished, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Firefighters battled the fire for more than two hours and remained on scene for 15 hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished, officials said.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
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Three years after the incident involving Cordell, a prisoner claimed he was assaulted, choked and Tazed by Hadder while on day release for a family reunion at a Waffle House.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The characteristics and size of the small starch clumps could constitute a choking hazard, said Mondelez Global, which owns the brand, particularly in young children and the elderly.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than 12,000 scrolls were once stored inside this second-century center of learning before a fire destroyed them in 262 CE.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Thirst finally quenched, the animal stood up, took a suitably epic pee, then walked toward the spot where our vehicle was parked.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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In Aquarius, Mercury is intellectually stimulating, like partaking in clever banter and cerebral conversations that quench your curiosity.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That is a very expensive building to demolish.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
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Damaged beyond repair, the building was permanently closed and later demolished.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Universities are under threat of government interference, book banning has reached unprecedented levels, journalists and artists and media outlets and attorneys are being punished, silenced, and doxed, and dissent everywhere is being criminalized.—
Gioia Woods,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Few people gathered at the memorial Sunday morning, but real and fake flowers, blanketed by snow, covered the site.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Harper also blanketed Kevin Durant on defense as the shorthanded Celtics, who were playing without Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Simons/Vucevic, blew out the Rockets 114-93 on the second night of a back-to-back.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Applying baking soda to some surfaces or materials could ruin it, scratch it or lose its shine, according to the pros.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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