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extinction

extinction

150 4.4
The dying out of a species so it no longer exists
  • noun
  • /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
translation icon : extinción
  • A species is conservation-reliant if it requires human intervention to avoid extinction or the threat of extinction.
  • species extinction
  • extinction risk
  • mass extinction

Things like do these extinctions, those are irreversible.

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Examples

  • Humankind was again in danger of extinction and again turned to the Rangers for the answer.

  • But it seems that Earth has gone through five of these mass extinction events so far.

  • For all I knew, our species was near extinction, and I could do nothing to save it.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • And yet, for the first time... in the history of the planet, a species has the technology... to prevent its own extinction.

  • Extinction is part of the natural order.

  • In the next 40 to 50 years, we're going to see the extinction of more species than we've seen in the past 65 million years.

  • How could we have foreseen the extinction of coworkers and friends?

  • The theme is simply the threat of extinction of the species, thwarted by our noble ingenuity.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Domestic cats are responsible for modern extinctions of reptiles, birds, and small mammals.

  • The extinction of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to thrive and evolve into various species.

Synonyms

death
vsextinction
1.0

The end of something like a business or idea

applies to the complete end of a whole species or phenomenon rather than single instances
demise
vsextinction
132 7.0

The end of a plan, institution, or idea

is specifically the final disappearing of an entire species, group, or phenomenon
annihilation
vsextinction
  • NSFW
47 8.1

Complete destruction so nothing is left

describes final dying out of a species, group, or phenomenon
extermination
vsextinction
  • NSFW
32 7.4

A complete killing or removal of a group of living things

is the broad final loss of an entire species or group rather than only killing
eradication
vsextinction
19 6.8

Complete removal of something unwanted

is about the final disappearance of a whole species or phenomenon rather than removal of nuisances
obliteration
vsextinction
6 7.9

Complete destruction that leaves nothing behind

describes final dying out of a species, group, or phenomenon
wipeout
vsextinction
3 6.3

Complete destruction that leaves nothing left

describes the long term end of a species or phenomenon rather than one event
vanishment
vsextinction
1 9.0

A complete disappearance of someone or something so it cannot be seen

implies the permanent end of existence rather than mere loss of visibility
extirpation
vsextinction
  • Formal
9.8

Complete removal of something, often by pulling it out by the roots

refers to the whole long term dying out of a species or group
defunctness
vsextinction
9.9

A state when something is no longer there or is not used

denotes the final complete loss of existence across a species or group

Antonyms

577 3.0

To keep living in difficult conditions

56 3.6

An act of something keeping going without stopping

Compounds

angle of extinction
  • Specialized
9.9

The angle you turn a crystal so it looks darkest under polarized light

8.4

A learned behavior becomes weaker when the reward stops

extinction angle
  • Specialized
9.9

The angle a crystal must be turned to look darkest under polarized light

How Endangered

extinct
102 3.6
extinction
150 4.4
endangered
163 4.6
vulnerable
581 4.0

Surface Forms

extinction singular
extinctions plural

Morphology

extinction = extinct (semi-transparent) = extinct + ion

The connection to 'extinct' is recognizable, but the noun formation with '-ion' is not a fully regular or highly transparent pattern for learners.

Etymology

Extinction comes from the Latin parts ex- 'out' and stinguere 'to put out', the same root as extinguish. That's why the death of a whole species is called an extinction — it is like the species has been 'put out' of existence.