ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t 
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
a
: no longer burning
an extinct fire
an extinct hope
b
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct animal
3
a
: gone out of use : superseded
extinct customs
b
: having no qualified claimant
an extinct title
Examples of extinct in a Sentence
Adjective
Many of these old traditions have since become extinct.
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
Recent Examples on the Web
John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Because ghost wolves have DNA from red wolves — a species once believed to be extinct and now existing only through captive breeding recovery programs — some researchers say preserving the hybrid coyote-wolf and its DNA could help bring back red wolves to their historic range.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
Your hamburger’s ancestors are extinct.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But the modest year-on-year sales increase is nevertheless notable because US buyers did not benefit from now-extinct federal tax credits.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
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Adjective
Non-avian dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years before the appearance of human beings.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Because ghost wolves have DNA from red wolves — a species once believed to be extinct and now existing only through captive breeding recovery programs — some researchers say preserving the hybrid coyote-wolf and its DNA could help bring back red wolves to their historic range.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
Your hamburger’s ancestors are extinct.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But the modest year-on-year sales increase is nevertheless notable because US buyers did not benefit from now-extinct federal tax credits.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
extinct
adjective
ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌ
ˈek-ˌ
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals
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