extinction
8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for extinction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use extinction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
face extinction
mass extinction
risk of extinction
Etymology
From Latin extinctio, "extinguishing, annihilation", from extinguere.
Full origin of extinction →Frequently asked questions
What does “extinction” mean?
The word “extinction” means the complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life. In plain terms, the point at which every last member of a species or group has died out.
How do you pronounce “extinction”?
“Extinction” is pronounced ihk-STIHNGK-shuhn (/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “extinction” in a sentence?
Here is “extinction” used in a sentence: “Hunting drove the species to extinction.”
What part of speech is “extinction”?
“Extinction” is a noun.
Where does the word “extinction” come from?
The word “extinction” comes from Latin. From Latin extinctio, "extinguishing, annihilation", from extinguere.
Is “extinction” a common word?
“Extinction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between extinction and endangerment?
Extinction refers to the complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life, meaning none remain. Endangerment describes a species that is at serious risk of extinction but has not yet died out entirely. Endangered species can potentially be saved, while extinction is irreversible.
Can extinction refer to things other than species?
Yes, extinction can describe the complete dying out of any group or way of life, such as the extinction of a language, a tradition, or a business model. The core idea is total disappearance rather than a biological species specifically.
What is a mass extinction?
A mass extinction is an event in which a large number of species die out within a relatively short geological period, far exceeding the normal background rate of extinction. Scientists study fossil records to identify these periods of widespread species loss.
