extractive

American  

[ik-strak-tiv] / ɪkˈstræk tɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract, or based upon extraction.

   coal, oil, copper, and other extractive industries.

2. capable of being extracted, as from the earth.

   extractive fuels.

3. of, relating to, or involving extraction.

   extractive surgery.

4. of or of the nature of an extract.

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noun

1. something extracted.

Other Word Forms

• nonextractive adjective

Etymology

Origin of extractive

First recorded in 1590–1600; extract + -ive

Example Sentences

Vegas has grown more expensive in recent years—hotels and restaurants have gotten pricier, gambling more extractive.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

Under Mobutu, that then morphed into an extractive enterprise, where informal access to the corridors of power allowed individuals to fill their bank accounts with the proceeds from those resources.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

"There is the issue of climate change, that it doesn't rain anymore, but the main impact has been caused by extractive mining," he says.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel brings nuance to communities that have been ravaged by extractive capitalism and then shamed for their victimization.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

A great many substances are found in plants, such as wax, mannite, "extractive matter," citric, malic, and other acids, of the nutritive value of which very little is known.

From The Stock-Feeder's Manual the chemistry of food in relation to the breeding and feeding of live stock by Cameron, Charles Alexander, Sir