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.

---

noun

1. something extracted.

extractive British  

/ ɪkˈstræktɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract

2. of, involving, or capable of extraction

---

noun

1. something extracted or capable of being extracted

2. the part of an extract that is insoluble

Other Word Forms

• nonextractive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of extractive

First recorded in 1590–1600; extract + -ive

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extractive

“I think major global events have an extractive history,” Torosis said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

"The extractive industry is often exploitative and prone to gross human rights abuses that must be monitored and enforced," Julius Ogogoh, the director of the lobby group, told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

In any case, the island is on board with Tom’s extractive commerce push, indicated in the season’s ominous ending.

From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026

Mr. Dasgupta recommends not a return to empire—he exposes China’s exploitative, extractive relationships with African nations as little more than reheated Western colonialism—but what he calls a “new theology.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Unfortunately, the finer extractive which give character to the nut of the better parent are prone to disappear also.

From Northern Nut Growers Association, Report Of The Proceedings At The Tenth Annual Meeting. Battle Creek, Michigan, December 9 and 10, 1919 by Northern Nut Growers Association