verb

extinguish

ihk-STIHNG-gwihsh

verb

To put out a fire or light.

"Firefighters worked all night to extinguish the blaze."

To put a complete end to something, such as hope or a feeling.

"The setback nearly extinguished her hopes of winning."

How to Use Extinguish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put out something burning, or to completely end a feeling, hope, or idea.

Common pairings

extinguish a fire extinguish hope extinguish a flame

extinguished past tense, extinguishes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Firefighters worked all night to _____ the blaze.

From Latin extinguere, "to put out, quench" — from ex- ("out") plus stinguere ("to quench").

bluish squish anguish vanquish languish relinquish distinguish