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 First responders from twelve organizations assisted with efforts to extinguish the fire and evacuate the home’s occupants, including the Adrian, Butler, Central Cass and Rich Hill fire departments. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025 Russian emergency services said the fire was extinguished after seven hours. David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025 The fire was extinguished by 12:30 a.m. and no one was injured, according to Aurora Fire Rescue. Graeme Taskerud, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025 The fire, which took 24 days to be extinguished, burned through over six thousand structures, and claimed the lives of at least 12 people, is projected to be the costliest fire in California history. Marissa Muller, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinguish
Verb
  • But, just like peanut butter—which is considered healthy for infants—Levinson says that cold, firm chunks or thick globs of butter may pose a choking hazard.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Lawmakers need to get it together soon, or the economy will go from gagging to choking.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lost in a sea of ash: When wildfire destroys a home — and a loved one’s urn — the search begins.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Duke did things to Illinois on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, in a 110-67 eyeful that wasn’t as close as the final score, to shush talk of a weak ACC potentially costing Cooper and the fighting Flaggs a No. 1 seed.
    Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Visiting Villa manager Unai Emery had earlier been left angered by the decision to send off Jhon Duran with Tindall later seen shushing the Spaniard in the technical area.
    Callum Davis, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The juice quenched a thirst that went beyond physical needs.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • So quench your hair’s thirst now and protect it from future despair with the best hydrating treatments the internet has to offer—as recommended by editors, hairstylists, and dermatologists.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Most of the historic neighborhood theater buildings were either demolished or destroyed by fire, often replaced by parking lots or highways.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The battle for copyright in the AI age is far from over, but one thing is clear: musicians, writers, and artists are ready to fight back, and they will not be silenced. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Our social media volunteers, supporters in the diaspora, and activists have had their families harassed and abducted, all in an effort to silence dissent.
    Imran Khan, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Carolyn Chu of the Legislative Analysts Office doused that idea, though, saying that money going to Washington from California is paid by individuals and by businesses, not the state itself.
    Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
  • After all, they’re all washed by the same water and more or less equally doused in sunshine, too.
    Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
  • During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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