extinguish

[ ik-sting-gwish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put out (a fire, light, etc.); put out the flame of (something burning or lighted):

   to extinguish a candle.

   Synonyms: smother, quench

   Antonyms: ignite, light

2. to put an end to or bring to an end; wipe out of existence; annihilate:

   to extinguish hope.

3. to obscure or eclipse, as by superior brilliance.
4. Law. to discharge (a debt), as by payment.

extinguish

/ ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ /

verb

1. to put out or quench (a light, flames, etc)
2. to remove or destroy entirely; annihilate
3. archaic.
   to eclipse or obscure by or as if by superior brilliance
4. law to discharge (a debt)

Derived Forms

• exˈtinguishable, adjective
• exˈtinguishment, noun
• exˈtinguisher, noun

Other Words From

• ex·tinguish·a·ble adjective
• ex·tinguish·ment noun
• nonex·tinguish·a·ble adjective
• nonex·tinguished adjective
• preex·tinguish verb (used with object)
• preex·tinguish·ment noun
• self-ex·tinguish·ing adjective
• unex·tinguish·a·ble adjective
• unex·tinguished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extinguish¹

1535–45; < Latin ex ( s ) tingu ( ere ) ( ex- ex- ¹ + stinguere to quench) + -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of extinguish¹

C16: from Latin exstinguere, from stinguere to quench

Example Sentences

In 2005, in a speech condemning the Republican majority’s threat to extinguish the filibuster against judicial nominees, then-Sen.

From Vox

Before it’s time for bed, show your campers how to properly extinguish the fire, and have them perform the work themselves.

From Outside Online

That last fire wasn’t a big one, causing just $50,000 in damage, and fire crews were able to extinguish it in just 24 minutes.

From Outside Online

That’s the way to make sure it’s truly extinguished—with work not from the sky, but on the dirty ground.

From Popular-Science

The numbers of deaths and years of life extinguished due to excessive drinking have gone up since the last report.

From Science News

These habits are likely to be hard to extinguish entirely.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, “The Girl on Fire” can apparently extinguish them, too.

From The Daily Beast

I like the taste of it as well once you extinguish the flame.

From The Daily Beast

They remembered that the escaped owner had only recently tried to extinguish their capital with blood.

From The Daily Beast

Amid the sound of screaming and the smell of burning, he tried to extinguish the fire with prayer mats.

From The Daily Beast

Anger and humiliation extinguish my momentary impulse to rush to her assistance.

From Project Gutenberg

He discovers that no amount of austerities will extinguish desire, or produce ecstatic contemplation.

From Project Gutenberg

But Government with 15,000 Regulars in town, and every Gentleman (but one) on their side, must extinguish the flame.

From Project Gutenberg

These poor wretches fought for the last flicker of the lamp, which the bears wanted to extinguish altogether.

From Project Gutenberg

Vigilant priests were always ready to extinguish systems which could not be made to tally with their interests.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abate
• annihilate
• destroy
• eliminate
• eradicate
• erase
• exterminate
• obliterate
• quell
• stamp out
• suppress
• wipe out