extinguish

1 of 2

verb

ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
extinguished; extinguishing; extinguishes
Synonyms of extinguishnext

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to bring to an end : make an end of
hope for their safety was slowly extinguished
(2)
: to reduce to silence or ineffectiveness
b
: to cause to cease burning : quench
extinguished the candles
c
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
d
: to dim the brightness of : eclipse
2
a
: to cause to be void : nullify
extinguish a claim
b
: to get rid of usually by payment
extinguish a debt
extinguishable
ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
adjective
extinguisher
ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shər How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
noun
extinguishment
ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish-mənt How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
noun

extinguishment

2 of 2

noun

ex·​tin·​guish·​ment -shmənt How to pronounce extinguishment (audio)
plural -s
: the act of extinguishing or the state of being extinguished : extinction
the extinguishment of the our rights

Synonyms of extinguish

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Verb

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Examples of extinguish in a Sentence

Verb The fire department was called in to extinguish the blaze. He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance. News of the conflict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Firefighters are using thermal-imaging drones and deploying additional resources to locate and extinguish the fires, which are in an area that can be difficult to access. — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns. — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Firefighters on March 28 extinguished a fire and found Mendez’s body in a ditch, according to a record that the Express-News reviewed. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The fire has since been extinguished, but the nearby Jardin Madeleine de Scudéry and Square du Temple have been temporarily closed. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinguish

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin exstinguere (from ex- + stinguere to extinguish) + English -ish (as in abolish); akin to Latin instigare to incite — more at stick

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of extinguish was circa 1540

Rhymes for extinguish

See All Rhymes for extinguish

Browse Nearby Words

extine
extinguish
extinguishable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinguish. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

extinguish

verb
ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-gwish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
1
: to cause to stop burning
2
: to cause to die out
extinguishable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
adjective
extinguisher noun

Medical Definition

extinguish

transitive verb
ex·​tin·​guish ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish How to pronounce extinguish (audio)
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
extinguish an avoidance response

Legal Definition

extinguish

transitive verb
ex·​tin·​guish
1
: to cause the nonexistence of : do away with
2
: to cause (as a claim or right) to be void : nullify
3
: to get rid of (a debt or other liability) by payment or other compensatory adjustment
extinguishable adjective
extinguishment noun
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