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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Recent Examples of extinctions
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
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
Monday’s game will be the Sparks’ first contest since consecutive blowout losses, 125-97 to Toronto on June 25 and 111-87 to Indiana on June 27.
-
The Sox found a way to bounce back after back-to-back walk-off losses.
Noun
-
McMahon said seven office buildings are planned for redevelopment with the potential to create more than 750 residential units, with some demolitions likely.
-
The measure would suspend Historic Preservation Board review across the Downtown Historic District for three years, routing decisions — including demolitions — around the board entirely.
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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