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.

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noun

1. something extracted.

extractive British  

/ ɪkˈstræktɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract

2. of, involving, or capable of extraction

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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

States that depend heavily on extractive industries such as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction tended to offer fewer protections for insects and arachnids.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Vegas has grown more expensive in recent years—hotels and restaurants have gotten pricier, gambling more extractive.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

Under Mobutu, that then morphed into an extractive enterprise, where informal access to the corridors of power allowed individuals to fill their bank accounts with the proceeds from those resources.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

"There is the issue of climate change, that it doesn't rain anymore, but the main impact has been caused by extractive mining," he says.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

In fact, if anything, the process is undesirable; as some of the extractive matters present in the coffee, and particularly caffein, will be lost.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)