extinguish
verb
ex·tin·guish
ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 
extinguished; extinguishing; extinguishes
1
a(1)
: to bring to an end : make an end of
hope for their safety was slowly extinguished
(2)
: to reduce to silence or ineffectiveness
b
: to cause to cease burning : quench
c
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
d
: to dim the brightness of : eclipse
2
a
: to cause to be void : nullify
extinguish a claim
b
: to get rid of usually by payment
extinguish a debt
Examples of extinguish in a Sentence
The fire department was called in to extinguish the blaze.
He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray.
They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance.
News of the conflict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames by 5 p.m., Meridian Fire Department spokesperson Jordan Robinson said in an email.
—
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025
Officials said the fire, initially limited to one floor, had been extinguished just after 10 p.m., but was on fire again early Tuesday, WUSA reported.
—Carol Ross Joynt, CBS News, 20 May 2025
Daigle said the flames eventually reached the the third-floor attic and extinguishing efforts continued into the evening, the New Orleans Advocate reported.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Two engines will remain on scene this evening to strengthen containment lines and extinguish remaining hot spots.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
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Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025
Officials said the fire, initially limited to one floor, had been extinguished just after 10 p.m., but was on fire again early Tuesday, WUSA reported.
—Carol Ross Joynt, CBS News, 20 May 2025
Daigle said the flames eventually reached the the third-floor attic and extinguishing efforts continued into the evening, the New Orleans Advocate reported.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Two engines will remain on scene this evening to strengthen containment lines and extinguish remaining hot spots.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinguish
Cite this Entry
“Extinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinguish. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extinguish
verb
ex·tin·guish
ik-ˈstiŋ-gwish
1
: to cause to stop burning
2
: to cause to die out
extinguisher
noun
Medical Definition
extinguish
transitive verb
ex·tin·guish
ik-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
extinguish an avoidance response
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