extinguishing

USAGE SUMMARY

'extinguishing' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action of putting out or getting rid of something. For example, "The fire department worked quickly to extinguish the flames."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ted Abel, a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that one of the reasons why blocker CREB evolved is that it is disadvantageous, in evolutionary terms, for memories to be too robust.Gone but not forgottenUnlearning or in technical terms, "extinguishing"—a memory can sometimes be even harder than learning it in the first place.

The Economist

QE2 was followed by surging commodity prices and vociferous condemnation at home and abroad, extinguishing much of the Fed's enthusiasm for an encore.

The Economist

But for the first time since 1948, the amnesty was not accompanied by a pardon (extinguishing the offences themselves).For untried offences, says Mr Gennaro, "this means that it is necessary to hold the trial and at the end, in the event of a guilty verdict, pass a sentence that cannot be carried out".

The Economist

Far from extinguishing opposition to fracking, though, his pledge reignited the debate.Under the new policy, councils will keep all the business rates paid by fracking firms on their patch, up from half at present; the other half goes to the Treasury.

The Economist

And Lamberto Dini has been running a plausible foreign policy (see article 42.However, the Refounded Communists are steadily extinguishing Mr Prodi's lingering hopes for those major reforms.

The Economist

Residents of Granjeno, a tiny town with just one business, worry that their community will be entirely obliterated".We get so concerned about the animals that are about to be extinct," Ms Tamez continues, "when by doing this they are extinguishing a culture and a population that's going to be gone forever".

The Economist

Aboriginal leaders immediately denounced the ad as "racist" and "provocative .After three months of negotiations with farmers and aborigines, Mr Howard presented a plan to his cabinet on April 15th that would drastically wind back aboriginal rights, without extinguishing them.

The Economist

The health-insurance industry accepted the inevitability of tighter regulation in return for scooping up millions of healthy new customers compelled to buy insurance on pain of a fine.Backstage bargains like these kept the plan afloat, but at the price of extinguishing some of the best ideas for reducing costs.

The Economist

In response to demographic pressure, they developed better weapons which enabled them to catch smaller, faster prey, which in turn enabled them to survive at high densities, though at the expense of extinguishing many larger and slower-breeding prey.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Six additional states (for a total of 28) required cigarettes to be wrapped in self-extinguishing paper to prevent fires; this effectively made the statute a national requirement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It would be unfair to blame the singers, for there are errors here that would be surprising in a student production: placing the lightest voices so far upstage that their connection to the orchestra is compromised; swathing the set with acres of voice-extinguishing velvet; exposing the wings so that any sound not sucked up by the fabric travels sideways.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract topics, such as feelings or ideas, using alternatives to "extinguishing" might provide a better nuance depending on the context. Consider alternatives such as "suppressing" or "stifling" for slightly different implications.

Common error

While "extinguishing" is a powerful word, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "putting out" or "stopping" might be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

"Extinguishing" functions primarily as a verb, often a present participle, indicating an ongoing action of putting something out or bringing something to an end. It can refer to tangible objects like fires, or abstract concepts such as rights or hopes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extinguishing" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of putting out or suppressing something, both physically and abstractly. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correct and usable in various contexts. The term is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When choosing "extinguishing", consider the nuance of complete cessation it implies. For less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "putting out" may be more suitable. Understanding the subtle differences between "extinguishing" and related terms like "suppressing" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting out

Focuses on the action of stopping a fire or light, similar to "extinguishing".

suppressing

Implies holding back or preventing something from developing, akin to "extinguishing" a movement or idea.

quelling

Suggests calming or subduing something forceful, similar to "extinguishing" unrest.

stifling

Indicates preventing something from developing or expressing itself freely, analogous to "extinguishing" creativity.

eradicating

Conveys the complete removal or destruction of something, like "extinguishing" a disease or problem.

annihilating

Emphasizes the complete destruction or obliteration of something, similar to "extinguishing" an enemy.

abolishing

Refers to formally putting an end to a system, practice, or institution, akin to "extinguishing" a law.

canceling out

Implies neutralizing or negating an effect, resembling "extinguishing" a debt or impact.

doing away with

Indicates getting rid of or eliminating something, much like "extinguishing" an old habit.

bringing to an end

Focuses on the act of concluding or terminating something, similarly to "extinguishing" a project.

FAQs

How can I use "extinguishing" in a sentence?

"Extinguishing" is typically used as a verb describing the action of putting out or suppressing something. For example, "The firefighters were focused on extinguishing the blaze", or "The new laws are aimed at extinguishing a protest movement".

What words can I use instead of "extinguishing"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "extinguishing" include "putting out", "suppressing", or "quelling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "extinguishing" appropriate for both physical and abstract concepts?

Yes, "extinguishing" can be used for both physical things like fires ("extinguishing the flames") and abstract concepts like hope or rebellion ("extinguishing all hope"). However, consider if a more nuanced word might be more fitting.

What is the difference between "extinguishing" and "suppressing"?

"Extinguishing" implies a complete end or cessation, whereas "suppressing" suggests holding something back or preventing it from fully developing. You extinguish a fire, but you might suppress a feeling.