ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t 
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
a
: no longer burning
b
: no longer active
an extinct volcano
2
: no longer existing
an extinct animal
3
a
: gone out of use : superseded
b
: having no qualified claimant
an extinct title
Synonyms
Examples of extinct in a Sentence
Adjective
Many of these old traditions have since become extinct.
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
Recent Examples on the Web
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Without protection, those plants will go extinct, and something like four of those areas are slated to become gas stations.
—Amy Brady, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024
Arthropleura went extinct during the Permian period around 298 million years ago.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Scientists have long argued if the Ediacara fauna were true animals and not some sort of large-bodied amoeba, lichens (!), or a completely extinct branch of life-forms.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extinct 
Adjective
In 2015, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Green Sports Alliance issued a report finding that at least 31 North American sports teams had mascots at risk of going extinct in the wild.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Without protection, those plants will go extinct, and something like four of those areas are slated to become gas stations.
—Amy Brady, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024
Arthropleura went extinct during the Permian period around 298 million years ago.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Scientists have long argued if the Ediacara fauna were true animals and not some sort of large-bodied amoeba, lichens (!), or a completely extinct branch of life-forms.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extinct
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extinct. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
extinct
adjective
ex·tinct
ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈek-ˌ
ˈek-ˌ
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives
extinct prehistoric animals
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