EXTINCTIONS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

extinctions

noun

plural of extinction

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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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 extinctions Understanding past extinctions says something about the current extinction crisis — and who may survive and who may not. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 The project supports countries that are trying to deliver Target 4 of the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for governments around the world to halt extinctions and improve the conservation status of endangered species. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 Environmental organizations have decried the change as a complete gutting that will rapidly accelerate extinctions, and have sued in federal court. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Instant extinctions are not limited to mechanical innovations like photography and cinematography, however. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 Although the cartilaginous fish have survived the last five extinctions our planet has faces, more than a third of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions

Noun

Victims can seek compensatory damages for actual losses, but not punitive damages.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
The Jets are 1-14 in their past 15 visits to Gillette Stadium, with six of those losses coming by at least 14 points.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of losses

Noun

While officials insist the demolitions are a non-negotiable step toward revitalizing the corridor along Old National Highway, the families and owners left in the wake of the bulldozers say true recovery remains a distant promise.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Over the past several months, Israel has carried out large-scale demolitions in villages that its troops occupy.

— Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of demolitions

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extinction

extinctions

extinguish

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“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extinctions

noun

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