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: no longer active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: gone out of use : superseded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

Relevance

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
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.
Adjective
The middle manager does not go extinct. — Brett Hurt, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Homo naledi is an extinct cousin of our species, Homo sapiens. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 June 2026 Also on the team is Ben Lamm, a billionaire working to revive extinct species. — CBS News, 1 July 2026 Grocery chains such as A&P and National Tea became extinct in these parts back in the 1970s. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 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 7 Jul. 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: no longer active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

More from Merriam-Webster on extinct

Nglish: Translation of extinct for Spanish Speakers

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