extinction

noun

The action of making or becoming extinct; annihilation.

(psychology) The fading of a conditioned response over time if it is not reinforced.

(astronomy) The absorption or scattering of electromagnetic radiation emitted by astronomical objects by intervening dust and gas before it reaches the observer.

(pathology) The inability to perceive multiple stimuli simultaneously.

Roots

stinguostinct- · Latin · quench, extinguish

Synonyms for extinction

exterminationn annihilationn demisen extirpationn eradicationn destructionn quenchingn perishingv vanishingn eliminationn liquidationn

Synonyms & related words for extinction

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of extinction — including extermination, annihilation, demise, extirpation, eradication, destruction. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to extinction

Explore words related to extinction — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include extinguishing, extinctive, extinct, nonextinct, obliteration, dodos, decimation, endangered. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for extinction

Common synonyms for extinction include extermination, annihilation, demise, extirpation, eradication, destruction, quenching, perishing — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does extinction come from?

The word extinction breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root stinct-, from Latin stinguo (“quench, extinguish”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.