EXTINGUISH Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

extinguish

verb

ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish

Definition of extinguish

as in to choke

to cause to cease burning the fire in the skillet was quickly extinguished by slamming the lid on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shush

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stir
agitate

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 The closure was initially reported near Atlantic Boulevard but was later extended south to Commercial Boulevard, approximately 4 miles away, as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns. — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Firefighters on March 28 extinguished a fire and found Mendez’s body in a ditch, according to a record that the Express-News reviewed. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The fire has since been extinguished, but the nearby Jardin Madeleine de Scudéry and Square du Temple have been temporarily closed. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extinguish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish

Verb

Finally, Europe needs the ability to retaliate when China or the United States threatens to choke it.

— Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
But the real culprit is his failing Iran war, which has choked supply from the Middle East.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of choke

Verb

Cities outside Paris have been hit hard by the unrest, including Limoges where a fire nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Animal diseases also threaten our economy and food system, destroying more than 20% of global livestock production each year.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Bass’ barrages got to Raman more than a few times, leading her to talk over the NBC and Telemundo moderators or even shush them.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
They were repeatedly shushed instead as the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3) fell to 13-10 in their marquee event after failing to keep pace with a USC offense that averaged nearly eight yards per play through the first three quarters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of shush

Verb

No matter your skin type, hydration is a must, and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 is here to quench, replenish, and protect with broad-spectrum SPF 30.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
Hersh was a curious, radical listener who dreamt of quenching his wanderlust by traveling the world.

— Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of quench

Verb

The building’s owner previously told The Star the building would not be demolished and that it could be redeveloped.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
The 18-year-old female elephant got loose from her handler outside her enclosure, then went on the run, demolishing the door of a saloon on North Avenue, smashing in the window of another and walking through the fence around a vacant lot.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

Freedom eventually left the arena and portrayed the episode as an attempt to silence his views.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
The level of organization is surprising, but this is a trend of Jews being portrayed in certain ways and trying to be silenced.

— Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of silence

Verb

Wildfires in Indonesia are also the source of widespread haze that’s blanketing much of the region and making Southeast Asian cities such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur among the world’s most polluted.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
In fall, leaves from a neighboring tree can blanket your yard, and overgrown branches or falling limbs can lead to disputes between property owners.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of blanket

Verb

Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each room is also outfitted with a Yale smart lock, which means there’s no room for that horrible feeling of losing a room key to ruin your vacation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Browse Nearby Words

extinctions

extinguish

extinguishable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extinguish

verb

Example Sentences

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