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
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
While auras may come from the realm of pseudoscience, all living beings do emit a faint light, invisible to the human eye—one that is extinguished upon death.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Paramedics took him to Broward Health Medical Center, where his condition is serious but not life-threatening.
Fireboats from Fort Lauderdale and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived to put out the boat fire, which took about 30 to 40 minutes to extinguish, Guzman said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
One of the responding firefighters suffered minor injuries in a fall while extinguishing the fire.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Firefighters have been so busy extinguishing fires and dealing with other emergencies that the fire hotline was saturated.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Paramedics took him to Broward Health Medical Center, where his condition is serious but not life-threatening.
Fireboats from Fort Lauderdale and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived to put out the boat fire, which took about 30 to 40 minutes to extinguish, Guzman said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
One of the responding firefighters suffered minor injuries in a fall while extinguishing the fire.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Firefighters have been so busy extinguishing fires and dealing with other emergencies that the fire hotline was saturated.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
-
On Monday, Jane gave harrowing testimony about a night in June 2024 when Combs allegedly choked, punched and kicked her in a rage.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2025
-
Various items were pulled from shelves back in March, ranging from fears that teething sticks could be a choking hazard to concerns about the particular batteries in a microphone potentially overheating and igniting.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
If trillion-dollar bonds are required to contest trillion-dollar damages our government is causing, that destroys the protections our Constitution provides its citizens against the rule of tyrants.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
-
Ukraine underscored the risk to advanced military powers on June 1 when its inexpensive drones damaged or destroyed strategic warplanes across Russia.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
But, when Lydia attempts to explain herself, Tina shushes her.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
-
The host had to shush the boisterous crowd more than once to focus their attention on the items for sale.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
With two percent salicylic acid, the formula has niacinamide and glycerin to quench thirsty skin.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
17 May 2025
-
This is the system Trump repeatedly targeted earlier this year for failing to bring enough water to quench Southern California’s devastating winter blazes.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
In 2012, Texas Wesleyan went to the city’s historic and cultural landmarks commission seeking permission to demolish the home for further campus expansion, but were denied.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
-
Goldschmidt has demolished the NL Central in his career, with a slash line of .291/.388/.527 in almost 550 games played.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
The majority on the Commissioners Court shouldn’t seek to silence minority voices through a violation of the Voting Rights Act, the letters said.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2025
-
To let rhythm carry meaning, to listen closely to silence.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The flames were doused but a crew remained on the scene until early Wednesday afternoon dampening down hotspots.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
Minutes after the jury selection process concluded, Azzarello doused himself in liquid from a canister held above his head and lit a flame.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The front nine, which has ruined more than a handful of U.S. Open rounds over the last two days, proved to be much tougher.—
Troy Finnegan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Sara Schilling,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share