EXTANT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

extant

adjective

ˈek-stənt

Definition of extant

as in existing

having being at the present time a celebrated author who is generally regarded as America's greatest novelist extant

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in current

existing or in progress right now when people envisage the future, they often base their predictions on the assumption that extant trends will continue indefinitely

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of extant Thus far this century, several fundamental changes in the healthcare system have succeeded in getting passed in Congress, perhaps in part due to their working more or less within the confines of an extant system. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Red dwarfs are very volatile bodies, giving off enormous amounts of X-rays and ultraviolet energy, both of which can destroy extant life or prevent it from getting started in the first place. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 16 July 2026 After Rogers left his job at the store, husband and wife had a go at a similar scheme, shilling aluminum cookware for the company Wear-Ever Aluminum (still extant as WearEver Cookware). — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Experts are particularly concerned about the safety of the cheetahs, as no extant cheetah populations coexist with tigers in the wild. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for extant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extant

Adjective

While much of the focus on the growing vertical video/microseries category has focused on the creation of original, low-budget content, there also has been a marketplace for pre-existing fare that is edited down into micro-sized bites.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
The new penalties align with pre-existing rules on Singapore’s subway system.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of existing

Adjective

That costs additional money—both London teams this past week set up headquarters for fans, with current and former players participating in events throughout the lead-up to the game—and also provides some additional income.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Swift appears as a spectral figure trying to warn Johnson that, based on her own experience, her rich husband has more sinister intentions than his current bride imagines.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

Weeds and money woes sprouted By July 2025, work on Pennway Point was all but non-existent.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Reich exec produces and stars in the show, which is about three young people who begin to question their humiliating jobs and non-existent love lives.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of existent

Adjective

In present day, back on the planet decimated by the Manhunters, John interrogates Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) and learns that Noah freed the villain from prison.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
That’s very much present in both our opening and closing night selections, but also across the whole program.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of present

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Style

“Extant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extant. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extant

adjective

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