ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t 
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
a
: no longer burning
b
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct animal
3
a
: gone out of use : superseded
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
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The extinct species likely lived in the dense understory of ancient tropical rainforests, according to the release.
—Lauren Liebhaber
september 18, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
In the past, Colossal has also revealed plans to revive other species of extinct animals like the Tasmanian tiger, New Zealand’s giant moa, and woolly mammoths.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
The company has said its aim is not to bring back something that’s 100% genetically identical to an extinct species but to create functional copies with key traits.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinct
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
The news follows the successful births in April of two dire wolves, extinct for 10,000 years.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The extinct species likely lived in the dense understory of ancient tropical rainforests, according to the release.
—Lauren Liebhaber
september 18, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
In the past, Colossal has also revealed plans to revive other species of extinct animals like the Tasmanian tiger, New Zealand’s giant moa, and woolly mammoths.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
The company has said its aim is not to bring back something that’s 100% genetically identical to an extinct species but to create functional copies with key traits.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
extinct
adjective
ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌ
ˈek-ˌ
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share