Search
Select the dictionary language
to extinguish
01
to end or destroy something entirely
Transitive: to extinguish sth
Examples
The authorities took swift action to extinguish the criminal organization.
02
to make a fire or flame stop burning
Transitive: to extinguish a fire or flame
Grammatical Information
Composition
derived
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
extinguish
3rd person singular
extinguishes
Present participle
extinguishing
Past simple
extinguished
Past participle
extinguished
Examples
The firefighters worked all night to extinguish the raging forest fire.
2.1
to eliminate the brightness of a light
Transitive: to extinguish a light
Examples
The technician adjusted the dimmer to extinguish the bright lights in the theater.
03
to cause the death of someone
Transitive: to extinguish sb
Examples
The assassin was hired to extinguish the target without leaving any trace.
04
to completely end something, leaving no trace or possibility of continuation
Transitive: to extinguish sth
Examples
The treaty was signed to extinguish any further hostilities between the two nations.
Lexical Tree
extinguishable
extinguished
extinguisher
extinguish
