Meaning & use

extinction

noun·Academic

The complete disappearance of a species or type of thing from existence.

See it in a sentence

Habitat loss is pushing many rainforest species toward extinction.

Conservationists are working to prevent the extinction of the black rhino.

A note on using this word

Scientists distinguish 'extinction' of a species from 'endangerment', which describes a species still surviving but at serious risk.

Words with a similar meaning

dying outeradication

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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