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to extinguish

to extinguish

21 5.5
End something completely, for example a custom or a debt
  • verb
  • /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
translation icon : extinguir
  • So let's look at the mode by which sound is being extinguished for each of them.
  • extinguish those rights
  • extinguishing sick-role behaviors
  • extinguish aboriginal title

He thinks if we use bed Nets, we can extinguish malaria.

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Examples

  • Within a short time, the old-timers had extinguished the fire and saved the secret formulas.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The campaign aimed to extinguish any remaining prejudice in the community.

  • Now, with my father no longer here to lead us, the evil is with those who will extinguish the light of truth.

  • You seek to end the line of the Prophet and extinguish the light of God?

  • And this year the question was what scientific idea should be extinguished as fast as possible?

  • And I swear by those who have given their lives that I will extinguish this blight and send it back to hell.

  • She was taken from us far too soon, but her light that was the gift to all who knew her can never be extinguished.

  • The Constitution was adequate to the task of eventually extinguishing slavery even where it already existed in the Union.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Their innocence was extinguished.

  • Efforts to extinguish the cultural practices of the indigenous people have proven unsuccessful.

Synonyms

to remove
vsto extinguish
1.5

To move something or someone away from a place

refers to ending or eliminating in a broader, abstract sense
to get rid of
vsto extinguish
1.6

To remove or throw away something you do not want

is a general term for ending or eliminating across contexts
to eliminate
vsto extinguish
  • NSFW
502 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

is used for ending especially abstract items like feelings or debts
to cease
vsto extinguish
324 3.6

To stop or come to an end

adds the idea of full elimination rather than only stopping
to wipe out
vsto extinguish
189 4.2

Destroy something so nothing is left

applies to ending items or ideas without always total destruction
to erase
vsto extinguish
156 2.2

Remove all traces of something from memory or history

ends or eliminates but may leave some remnants or memory
to abolish
vsto extinguish
112 4.1

To officially end a law, system, or practice

is broader, used for ending many kinds of ideas or practices
to do away with
vsto extinguish
88 3.7

Remove something so it is no longer used

is neutral and fits formal endings and official contexts too
to eradicate
vsto extinguish
85 6.6

Remove something harmful completely, for example a disease or pest

ends things fully but not always by targeting the cause
to obliterate
vsto extinguish
71 7.5

To destroy something completely so nothing remains

means to end or eliminate but may allow some remains
to put a stop to
vsto extinguish
62 3.0

To end something so it no longer happens

implies full elimination or removal rather than only stopping action
to exterminate
vsto extinguish
  • NSFW
60 6.9

To destroy something completely, often on purpose

is broader, covering endings that are not always violent
to dispose of
vsto extinguish
56 4.1

Deal with and finish a problem or task so it no longer causes trouble

focuses on ending or eliminating rather than only resolving issues
to purge
vsto extinguish
49 6.3

To remove unwanted substances, things, or people by cleaning

is about ending or eliminating without the cleansing sense
to banish
vsto extinguish
27 6.1

Make a thought or feeling go away so it stops bothering you

is used more widely for ending things beyond inner experiences
to expunge
vsto extinguish
21 8.8

To remove all signs of something like a record or memory so it cannot be found

ends things broadly beyond merely removing traces
to stamp out
vsto extinguish
13 4.2

To stop something completely using strong action

means ending or eliminating without implying strong force
to nullify
vsto extinguish
12 6.8

To make something lose its effect or value

ends or removes the thing itself rather than only cancelling effect
to clean out
vsto extinguish
  • Informal
10 3.6

Remove people completely from a place or group because they are unwanted

refers to ending or eliminating ideas and customs rather than clearing places
to snuff out
vsto extinguish
9 7.7

Put an end to something or to someone's life

is broader and can include gradual or nonviolent endings
to efface
vsto extinguish
2 8.1

To remove something so it is no longer visible or remembered

is about ending or eliminating more generally, not only disappearance
to sweep away
vsto extinguish
1 3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

focuses on bringing things to an end or stopping them
to extirpate
vsto extinguish
  • Formal
1 9.9

To destroy something completely, including its root

brings things to an end without always eliminating the root

Antonyms

772 4.1

To start something that is meant to last

426 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

How Final

to eradicate
85 6.6
to extinguish
21 5.5
to abolish
112 4.1
to end
1.0

Surface Forms

extinguish infinitive
extinguished past participle
extinguishing present participle
extinguishes third person singular

Etymology

Extinguish comes from the Latin parts ex- 'out' and stinguere 'to put out'. That idea of 'putting out' makes sense for ideas, customs, or debts: to extinguish something is to end it completely or remove it.