extinguish

USAGE SUMMARY

'extinguish' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to mean to put out a fire, or to put an end to something. For example, "The fire department was able to quickly extinguish the wildfire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Bruce said Scotland needed diversity and plurality: "Scotland is a divided and bruised country with just one Liberal Democrat, one Conservative and Labour MP, and the SNP are quite clearly trying to extinguish all opposition in Scotland.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the battle to extinguish her memory continues.

The Guardian - Books

The fundamental difference, he said, is that Charlie Hebdo doesn't want to extinguish Islam.

The Guardian

Stuart Winter, journalist and 'Birdman' for the Sunday Express, told the RSPB that the robin's characteristics were "those we value most in not just other people but in our island race: small of stature but big of heart; friendly, loyal and endearing yet belligerent and uncompromising to all those who dare extinguish its vitality or threaten its domain.

The Guardian

Fortunately for Itch, his sister is on hand with a mug of water to extinguish his burning eyebrows.

The Guardian

Having first insisted that the Palestinians would have to choose between talking and fighting, he has now discovered that neither the use of Israeli force, nor the threat of even greater force, can extinguish the disturbances.

The Economist

Both Ethiopia and Eritrea are bent on stirring things up in Somalia, a country still torn apart by civil war.Bidding for peaceEfforts to extinguish the Eritrean-Ethiopian war have so far failed.

The Economist

Even so, it is unclear whether Burmese reforms and Thai generosity will be enough to extinguish one of the world's longest-running insurgencies.

The Economist

Yet Mr Simon has quickly found that he has to spend most of his time as a firefighter, trying to extinguish a blaze of sometimes violent protests across the country.The ombudsman's office logged 189 separate social conflicts in October, more than double the number a year ago.

The Economist

In phone calls to his European allies, Mr Obama is said to have expressed frustration at Mr Netanyahu's approach to settlements, but to have explained he had "too many domestic fires to extinguish" to risk a bust-up over Israel.The White House strenuously denies this account.

The Economist

A useful move would be to make a greater effort to extinguish some of the fires of radicalism, such as the conflicts over Palestine and Kashmir.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extinguish" in formal writing, ensure the context aligns with its meaning of putting an end to something, whether it's a literal fire or a metaphorical concept like hope or a conflict. Consider using more specific verbs like "quench" or "suppress" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "extinguish" in overly casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Simpler alternatives like "put out" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "extinguish" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being put out or brought to an end. As Ludwig AI suggests, this verb can be used both literally (putting out a fire) and figuratively (ending a conflict or hope).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extinguish" is a versatile verb with a central meaning of bringing something to an end, whether physical like a fire, or abstract such as a hope or a conflict. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. With its presence in reputable news sources like The Guardian and The Economist, and its inclusion in encyclopedias, it's a reliable choice. While the verb sees frequent usage in News & Media, bear in mind that other options might sound more natural in everyday conversation, avoiding an overly formal tone. As a final recommendation, remember that using "extinguish" properly means being aware of the context and choosing a substitute when more clarity is needed. The verb is useful when it's important to express the act of ending or eliminating something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put out

This alternative is more direct and commonly used for physical fires.

quench

This alternative is often used for thirst or desires, suggesting a complete satisfaction or suppression.

smother

This alternative implies suppressing something by covering or suffocating it.

suppress

This alternative suggests holding back or restraining something, often an emotion or idea.

douse

This alternative implies quickly and thoroughly wetting or extinguishing something with liquid.

stamp out

This alternative is often used for eradicating something undesirable, like a problem or disease.

annihilate

This alternative suggests complete destruction or obliteration.

eradicate

This alternative emphasizes the complete removal of something, often a problem or disease.

abolish

This alternative is used for formally ending a system, practice, or institution.

nullify

This alternative means to make something invalid or ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "extinguish" in a sentence?

You can use "extinguish" to describe putting out a fire, as in "Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze". It can also describe ending something abstract, like "The new policy aimed to extinguish corruption".

What can I say instead of "extinguish"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "extinguish" include "put out", "quench", "suppress", or "eradicate".

Is it appropriate to use "extinguish" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "extinguish" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "put out" are often more suitable.

What is the difference between "extinguish" and "suppress"?

"Extinguish" often implies completely ending something, while "suppress" suggests holding something back or preventing it from fully developing.