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Definition of extinguishnext
1
as in to choke
to cause to cease burning the fire in the skillet was quickly extinguished by slamming the lid on

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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

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3
as in to shush
to stop the noise or speech of her final, telling point extinguished her opponents on the city council

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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 But there will be no rebirth in the game via Redemption Island or the Edge of Extinction for whoever's fire is about to be extinguished tonight. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026 He was transported to the hospital in stable condition while 70 firefighters worked to extinguish the stubborn fire. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026 The Georgetown Fire Department extinguished a mattress fire in the master bedroom, according to the affidavit. Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026 The Fort Worth Fire Department assisted with extinguishing the blaze, according to the post. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
  • This isn't the first time - or even the second - Johnson has used his training to save a child from choking.
    Nick Caloway, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After once rising from her seat to scold a man recording the broadcast on his phone to shushing in-studio viewers during an interview with Zohran Mamdani, Whoopi Goldberg just wrote another chapter in her comical relationship with The View's studio audience.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
  • That shush in the art dealership was loud.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Companies like Amazon and Google have turned to nuclear power to quench their insatiable need for electricity.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
  • Think of the 5-3-1 rule like a beauty treatment for the soul, rehydrating bonds like a hyaluronic acid serum quenches thirsty skin.
    Vogue, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced.
    Tucker Reals, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Dan Piper, a teacher who spoke at the vigil, told those gathered that the federal officials are hoping to silence dissent.
    Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The growing pace of crypto ATM fraud has some policymakers pursuing bans and others asking why the nation is blanketed in these machines in the first place.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
  • As the final whistle blew, as Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ pass to the end zone fell incomplete with Ethan O’Connor and Zechariah Poyser blanketing De’Zhaun Stripling in coverage, Bissainthe watched as his teammates began to flood the field.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.
    Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This will either change your life or ruin you.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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