extinguishment

IPA/ɪkˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ.mənt/
KK[ɪkstˈɪŋɡwɪʃmənt]IPA/ɪkˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ.mənt/

extinguishment — noun

  • extinguishmentsingular
  • extinguishmentsplural

1. the act of making a fire stop burning, for example by using water, chemicals, or

1.名詞B2
釋義

the act of making a fire stop burning, for example by using water, chemicals, or removing its source of oxygen

例句

The fire department's quick response ensured the extinguishment of the blaze before it reached nearby homes.

formal noun phrase: extinguishment of the blaze

Modern office buildings have sprinkler systems designed for the rapid extinguishment of any fire that starts inside.

collocation: rapid extinguishment

同義詞
  • putting out

    everyday, informal register; preferred in conversation

  • dousing

    specifically implies using water or liquid to stop a fire

  • quenching

    more literary or technical; also used for thirst or chemical reactions

反義詞

文法句型

extinguishment + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

More formal than everyday phrases like 'putting out a fire'. Common in official safety reports, building codes, and firefighter training materials.

常見錯誤

❌The extinguishment of the candle was quick.
✅The extinguishment of the candle flame was quick.
💡'extinguishment' is most natural for larger fires or formal fire-safety contexts; 'blowing out' is preferred for a single candle.

2. the act of stopping something from continuing, such as a conflict, a feeling, or

2.名詞C1
釋義

the act of stopping something from continuing, such as a conflict, a feeling, or an activity

例句

The peace treaty called for the extinguishment of all hostile actions between the neighboring regions.

extinguishment + of + abstract noun (hostile actions)

Isabela hoped for the extinguishment of the bitter rivalry that had divided her family for decades.

同義詞
  • cessation

    formal but more common; often used for hostilities or payments

  • termination

    implies a deliberate decision to end something

  • ending

    neutral and widely used across registers

反義詞

文法句型

extinguishment + of + abstract noun

用法筆記

Used for abstract or figurative endings, not concrete objects. In modern English, words like 'ending', 'termination', or 'cessation' are far more common for this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌The extinguishment of the meeting was at 5 PM.
✅The meeting ended at 5 PM.
💡'extinguishment' is too formal and unusual for everyday events like meetings.

3. the formal cancellation of a legal right, agreement, debt, or obligation, after

3.名詞C1
釋義

the formal cancellation of a legal right, agreement, debt, or obligation, after which it ceases to have any legal force or effect

例句

The court ordered the extinguishment of the debt after the company completed its bankruptcy proceedings.

legal collocation: extinguishment of the debt

Lucas signed the document agreeing to the extinguishment of his ownership rights to the inherited property.

pattern: extinguishment of [legal right]

同義詞
  • cancellation

    broader, everyday term used outside legal contexts

  • voidance

    formal legal term for making something legally void

  • discharge

    specifically used for debts or obligations being fulfilled or released

反義詞
  • creation

    the act of establishing a new right or obligation

  • enforcement

    the act of making a legal right or obligation effective

文法句型

extinguishment + of + legal right/obligation

用法筆記

A technical legal term used in property law, contract law, and bankruptcy. In Taiwan legal terminology (消滅), it commonly appears in phrases like 消滅時效 (extinctive prescription / statute of limitations). Often paired with 'of' + the right being ended.

常見錯誤

❌The extinguishment of the contract was done by both parties.
✅The contract was terminated by agreement of both parties.
💡Outside legal writing, 'termination' or 'cancellation' is the standard word for ending a contract.