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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

Most of the new songs wrestle with how to seek pleasure while remaining hyperaware of the devastations of the world, and how that tension can make happiness itself feel like a vice.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of devastations

Noun

Though opposing armies suffered heavy losses, neither made any significant territorial gains.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Jets, meanwhile, dropped to 0-8 against AFC East opponents under Aaron Glenn, including consecutive losses to New England and Miami.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of losses

Noun

By Friday afternoon, Israeli forces had started demolitions in the Farsh al-Hawa area of Hebron.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
For this historic election, however, unchecked violent crime, home demolitions, chronic underfunding in their communities, West Bank unrest, and the war in Gaza are all motivating Arab voters.

— Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of demolitions

Browse Nearby Words

extinction

extinctions

extinguish

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of extinctions

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes