ERADICATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'eradicate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of eradicate are exterminate , extirpate , and uproot . While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself. // a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

Q: In what contexts can 'exterminate' take the place of 'eradicate'?

Although the words exterminate and eradicate have much in common, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals. // exterminate cockroaches

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extirpate' instead of 'eradicate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to eradicate , extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation. // many species have been extirpated from the area

Q: When can 'uproot' be used instead of 'eradicate'?

The words uproot and eradicate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction. // the war uprooted thousands

eradicate

verb

i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt

Definition of eradicate next

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of the successful effort to eradicate smallpox around the globe

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How does the verb eradicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of eradicate are exterminate, extirpate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

In what contexts can exterminate take the place of eradicate?

Although the words exterminate and eradicate have much in common, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When is it sensible to use extirpate instead of eradicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to eradicate, extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation.

many species have been extirpated from the area

When can uproot be used instead of eradicate?

The words uproot and eradicate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

Examples 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 eradicate For example, calls to poison control centers spiked after Trump talked about ingesting bleach to eradicate COVID. —

Lisa Jarvis, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 Five came from teams that posted losing records, leading to bad tendencies that need to be eradicated as quickly as possible. —

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 She's violated her oath, eradicated our sovereign border, and unleashed an army of gangs and criminal migrants from prisons and jails. —

NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Pest control specialists have since visited the location and taken steps to eradicate the infestation, and the bugs pose no ongoing risk to the public, according to Kwik Trip public relations officer David Niemi. —

Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eradicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate

Verb

And what a loss that would be, erasing the splashes of yellow and orange every fall and silencing the quaking of the leaves.

Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 18 Nov. 2024
Compared to its March peak of $123, the price has plunged over 85%, erasing over $55 billion in value.

Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024