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: no longer active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: gone out of use : superseded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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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Adjective
The money will go to conservation groups and local partners working on species the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 In 1987, biologists captured the last free-flying condor to transfer it to captivity, and the largest flying North American bird species was officially declared extinct in the wild. — David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 Lower and mid-tier bowl games might become extinct, although the six prominent bowls on and around New Year’s Day — Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton and Peach — should continue to host the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The predators were locally extinct in California and the West, surviving mostly in rural Minnesota with another 40 animals in Michigan. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 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

See All Rhymes for extinct

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 22 Oct. 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
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