Definitions

extinct

[ik-stingkt] / ɪkˈstɪŋkt /

ADJECTIVE

dead, obsolete

Synonyms

WEAK

abolished archaic asleep bygone cold dead and gone deceased defunct departed disappeared done for doused ended exanimate exterminated extinguished fallen gone inactive late lifeless lost no longer known outmoded passed on passé snuffed out superseded terminated unknown vanished vanquished void wiped-out

Antonyms

WEAK

alive existing extant living

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

According to the RSPB, the bird went extinct in the 1600s before a small number of wild cranes from mainland Europe ventured to the Norfolk Fens.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

"Dwarf pansies are definitely one of our very rarest plants, that will not be going extinct anytime soon," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The cave also contained fossils of an extinct ancestor of the takahē, helping scientists better understand the evolution of this well-known New Zealand bird.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

And if doubles are an endangered species, triples are practically extinct.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Nearly half of all Smokies mussels species are endangered; twelve are thought to be extinct.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

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