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
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the fire did significant damage to the building, Hall said.
—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Iran drew all three group games and still went home, their hopes extinguished only when Austria scored a stoppage-time equalizer against Algeria in another match, denying Iran a place in the knockout rounds by the narrowest of margins.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
There was some buzz that the Colombia charms were running low or (gasp) extinguished, but Castaneda and Venecia were there for Portugal charms to match their jerseys.
—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2026
In times like these, when our rights are being assaulted every day, how can the winds of freedom blow so strongly and not extinguish the flame?
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Iran drew all three group games and still went home, their hopes extinguished only when Austria scored a stoppage-time equalizer against Algeria in another match, denying Iran a place in the knockout rounds by the narrowest of margins.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
There was some buzz that the Colombia charms were running low or (gasp) extinguished, but Castaneda and Venecia were there for Portugal charms to match their jerseys.
—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2026
In times like these, when our rights are being assaulted every day, how can the winds of freedom blow so strongly and not extinguish the flame?
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
-
This practice carries risks, such as choking and aspiration, or food entering the airway.
-
Historically, modest fires every seven to 20 years kept forests from being overgrown and choked with highly flammable dead wood and brush, Williams said.
Verb
-
The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.
-
That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
Verb
-
His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
-
As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
Verb
-
If your skin needs a hydration boost, reach for the brand's Hyaluronic Moisture formula with hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom to quench its thirst.
-
Both of these melons are hydrating foods that can help quench thirst.
Verb
-
The East Wing of the White House was demolished suddenly in October 2025, and construction at the site, which will be the location of a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom, has continued through mid-2026.
-
Just months later, in October, the East Wing had been demolished without notice to make way for the new ballroom.
Verb
-
The case has prompted widespread condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations, which have accused Beijing of using national security laws to silence dissent.
-
Spectators should silence their phones near the court To further reduce distractions, Wimbledon's official 2026 Ticket Holder Handbook lists cell phone rules attendees should abide by while watching matches.
Verb
-
With one acrobatic slam after another, Yaxel Lendeborg cut through the sleepy atmosphere blanketing the pregame layup lines, injecting some energy into a crowd that was waiting to watch the team’s first summer league game at Chase Center on Friday.
-
Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories blanket the National Weather Service's July 4 map from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to the South, Midwest and north Texas.
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
-
After all, plenty of cocktail enthusiasts already complain about mosquitoes ruining a summer evening.
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
