as in defunct
no longer existing
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
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 extinct
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit focused on invertebrates, five butterfly species have gone extinct since the 1950s, with an additional 29 listed as endangered nationwide.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Panda haters often argue that the billions of dollars that are spent to prevent them from going extinct would be better allocated to saving more adaptable species.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
But, interbreeding would change the human genome, which likely continued until Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Colossal aims to revive the woolly mammoth species, which mainly went extinct 10,000 years ago (though some populations remained until 4,000 years ago), by creating a woolly mammoth calf that an elephant mother will then give birth to.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extinct 
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Panda haters often argue that the billions of dollars that are spent to prevent them from going extinct would be better allocated to saving more adaptable species.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
But, interbreeding would change the human genome, which likely continued until Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Colossal aims to revive the woolly mammoth species, which mainly went extinct 10,000 years ago (though some populations remained until 4,000 years ago), by creating a woolly mammoth calf that an elephant mother will then give birth to.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinct
Adjective
-
Volkswagen is reviving the defunct brand as an off-roading electric vehicle for distinctly American tastes.—
Verge Staff,
The Verge,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The project, a dream pairing of two in-demand actors in The Perfect Couple and Bad Sisters’ Hewson and The White Lotus and The Last Of Us‘ Bartlett to series, originated at the now defunct ABC Signature where Berg and Countee had been under overall deals.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
So many firsts, gone, charred to ash, just remnants of an area that once represented Black prosperity and joy.—
Maya Richard-Craven,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
-
The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
3 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Unlawful display of registration tab: At 5 p.m., deputies stopped a motorist at Lawrence Expressway and Prospect Road for expired registration.—
Anne Gelhaus,
The Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2025
-
But while your face gets the royal treatment, does the rest of your skin survive on occasional slaps of expired lotion?—
Erin Bunch,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In recent years, however, the idea of belonging to traditional civic organizations is perceived to be obsolete.—
John Hewko,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The intrigue: The proposals include repealing a Denver law passed in 2019 allowing adults to possess psychedelics, with licensing staff saying the 2022 state law makes the local law obsolete.—
Esteban L. Hernandez,
Axios,
5 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to extinct
Thesaurus Entries Near extinct
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinct. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share