as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the state's population of moose has been replenished, having once been hunted almost to extinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of extinction
Once hunted to near-extinction for their eggs – used to make turtle soup – green turtle populations have risen significantly since the 1970s, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's 2025 update to its Red List of Threatened Species.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
They were almost hunted to extinction due to the fur trade.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hamm’s mascot emerged from hibernation this week to deny, deny, deny reports of its extinction.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Minnesota is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with entire species being wiped out before they can even be identified.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
They were almost hunted to extinction due to the fur trade.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hamm’s mascot emerged from hibernation this week to deny, deny, deny reports of its extinction.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Minnesota is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with entire species being wiped out before they can even be identified.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinction
Noun
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One chapter closes, another opens The destruction of several Russian Kamov Ka-52s using drones doesn’t signal the end of the attack helicopter by any means.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The pace of destruction was terrifying.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the devastation, the family has received an outpouring of support from the community, something Jackeline Madrid said reflects who her father was.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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In the two years following Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.—
Andrew Jones,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In corresponding moves, left-hander Charlie Barnes and right-hander Yacksel Ríos were called up from Triple-A Iowa and right-hander Vince Velasquez, who threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s loss, was designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Ríos.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Saturday’s defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur was markedly less depressing than the losses in the previous two games.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Since the demolition began, Democrats have mostly used the ballroom project as a political piñata.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Phase three of demolition includes the Kohl’s parcel.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When the ants come marching in, many of us frantically raid our cabinets and garage shelves for any means of immediate extermination.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
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When members of the crew begin to die, the line between spectacle and extermination starts to blur.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinction. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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