as in devastations
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
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Recent Examples of extinctions
While extinctions are always multi-faceted, the extermination of some species can be almost directly linked to the insatiable appetites of modern humans.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
The fossil record suggests these massive creatures disappeared during the sweeping extinctions that marked the end of the Pleistocene.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Our work, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish.
—John L. Gittleman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
The fossil record suggests these massive creatures disappeared during the sweeping extinctions that marked the end of the Pleistocene.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025
These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Shocking research has warned that humans are driving extinctions at a scale not seen since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinctions
Noun
-
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
-
Recent survey results on job losses have ticked above that percentage in the past year.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Satellite imagery and videos from after the April 16 ceasefire announcement show demolitions continuing apace, with excavators and armored vehicles clearly visible.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Micah Farfour, special adviser for remote sensing at Amnesty International, says the organization can no longer access Planet data, a primary source for ongoing investigations into military demolitions in Lebanon.—
Krishna Karra,
Bloomberg,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinctions. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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