as in devastations
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the state's population of moose has been replenished, having once been hunted almost to extinction
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Recent Examples of extinctions
While extinctions are always multi-faceted, the extermination of some species can be almost directly linked to the insatiable appetites of modern humans.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
The fossil record suggests these massive creatures disappeared during the sweeping extinctions that marked the end of the Pleistocene.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
The fossil record suggests these massive creatures disappeared during the sweeping extinctions that marked the end of the Pleistocene.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
Even in losses, the Pistons recovered miss after miss against them.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Despite a series of stinging gerrymandering losses, Democrats remain favored to take back the House.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Abu Diab is an activist in Silwan fighting to preserve the neighborhood against the demolitions that have been going on for nearly two decades.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
19 May 2026
-
While demolitions began before the April 16 ceasefire, really sweeping destruction kicked off after it was declared, Mohammad Bazzi, the mayor of Bint Jbeil, told NBC News.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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