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

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

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

But when lithium batteries are corrupted, they can experience thermal runaway – meaning a cell undergoes uncontrollable temperature rises, making a fire hard to control and extinguish.

From BBC

“The officer was eventually able to take Gonzalez into custody and extinguish the fire,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times

The incident at Jablonow near Warsaw took two hours to extinguish, according to Polish reports.

From BBC

"In one world, you’re trying to contain your energy or yourself or your expression just so that you don’t ruffle feathers, while in another world your energy, you can’t even extinguish it," she said.

From BBC

The ballots are nearly airtight and testing by fire officials “showed that anything flammable should extinguish very quickly,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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