extinct

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tinct ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce extinct (audio) ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce extinct (audio)
Synonyms of extinct
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: no longer active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: gone out of use : superseded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

extinct

2 of 2

verb

extincted; extincting; extincts

transitive verb

archaic
: extinguish

Synonyms of extinct

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Adjective

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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
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.
Adjective
Some of the species went extinct during the many decades covered by the data. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 Wolves were locally extinct in California for nearly a century, hunted by ranchers, law enforcement and others until the last one, starving and missing a leg, was captured in Lassen County in 1924. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 The ancient Moa Eggshell Cave in New Zealand contains the remains of several extinct animal species lost approximately a million years ago. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 6 July 2026 Scientists have long known that ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals lived alongside each other for thousands of years—until that is, Neanderthals went extinct some 40,000 years ago. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinct

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin exstinctus, past participle of exstinguere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extinct was in the 15th century

Rhymes for extinct

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Browse Nearby Words

extimulate
extinct
extincteur
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

extinct

adjective
ex·​tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t, 
ˈek-ˌ
1
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct species of animal

Medical Definition

extinct

adjective
ex·​tinct ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce extinct (audio) ˈek-ˌ How to pronounce extinct (audio)
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals

More from Merriam-Webster on extinct

Nglish: Translation of extinct for Spanish Speakers

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