extinguish

UK: /ɪkˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/ US: /ɪkˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/ ,(ik sting′gwish)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•tin•guish /ɪkˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to cause to stop burning;
   put out:
   The firefighters extinguished the fire.
2. to put an end to or bring to an end:
   extinguished his hopes.

ex•tin•guish•a•ble, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•tin•guish  (ik sting′gwish), v.t. 

1. to put out (a fire, light, etc.);
   put out the flame of (something burning or lighted):
   to extinguish a candle.
2. to put an end to or bring to an end;
   wipe out of existence;
   annihilate:
   to extinguish hope.
3. to obscure or eclipse, as by superior brilliance.
4. Law to discharge (a debt), as by payment.

• Latin ex(s)tingu(ere) (ex- ex-¹ + stinguere to quench) + -ish²
• 1535–45

ex•tin′guish•a•ble, adj. 
ex•tin′guish•ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. quench, smother, snuff out, blow out.

Antonyms

• 1. light, ignite.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

extinguish / ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ verb (transitive)

1. to put out or quench (a light, flames, etc)
2. to remove or destroy entirely; annihilate
3. to eclipse or obscure by or as if by superior brilliance

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin exstinguere, from stinguere to quench

exˈtinguishable adjective

exˈtinguisher noun

exˈtinguishment noun