Synonyms for extinguish
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Eradicate — to end (something). To put an end to (something) completely; to annihilate, to destroy
eradicate, annihilate, destroy, eliminate, extirpate, wipe out, suppress, remove, obliterate, kill, put out, abate, nullify, quell, exterminate, abolish, carry off, quash, stifle, uproot, liquidate, subvert
4. Smother — to end (something). To stop (fire, etc.) from burning; also, to stop (light, etc.) from shining; to put out…
Other
do away with informal, get rid of, outshine
Definitions
- v. 1
To end (something). To stop (fire, etc.) from burning; also, to stop (light, etc.) from shining; to put out, to quench.
- v. 2
To end (something). To put an end to (something) completely; to annihilate, to destroy.
She extinguished all my hopes.
- v. 3
To end (something). To eclipse or obscure (someone or something).
A beauty that extinguishes all others by comparison
- v. 4
To end (something). To kill (someone).
Related words
- Word family
- extinguishment extinct extinction extinguisher
Forms
- Past participle
- extinguished
e.g. extinguished → eradicated, annihilated, destroyed, eliminated…
Example sentences
- destroy Do you really think it will destroy my reputation?
- eliminate Algeria needs to eliminate its endemic corruption.
- eradicate We must eradicate the drug traffic, root and branch.
- annihilate We shall annihilate anyone who stands in our way!
- outshine I have no ambition to outshine him or any other erudite.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| extinguish | steady | |
| destroy | steady | |
| eliminate | falling | |
| eradicate | steady | |
| annihilate | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- kill1, stub1
- 5 letters
- quell1, quash1, abate2, douse1, slake
- 6 letters
- remove2, stifle2, quench1, uproot2
- 7 letters
- destroy2, abolish3, subvert2, nullify3, smother2
- 8 letters
- suppress2, outshine2
- 9 letters
- eliminate4, eradicate4, liquidate3, extirpate3
- 10 letters
- annihilate4, obliterate4
- 11 letters
- exterminate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (abate2 = 2 syllables).