EXTIRPATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of extirpate are eradicate , exterminate , and uproot . While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," 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 is 'eradicate' a more appropriate choice than 'extirpate'?

Although the words eradicate and extirpate have much in common, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself. // a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

Q: When would 'exterminate' be a good substitute for 'extirpate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to extirpate , exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals. // exterminate cockroaches

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

The words uproot and extirpate 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

extirpate

verb

ˈek-stər-ˌpāt

Definition of extirpate next

as in to eradicate

to destroy all traces of the triumph of modern medicine in extirpating certain diseases

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb extirpate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extirpate are eradicate, exterminate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," 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 is eradicate a more appropriate choice than extirpate?

Although the words eradicate and extirpate have much in common, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When would exterminate be a good substitute for extirpate?

While in some cases nearly identical to extirpate, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When can uproot be used instead of extirpate?

The words uproot and extirpate 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 extirpate Their historic range included parts of Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas, but jaguars were extirpated from the United States by the mid-20th century due to loss of habitat and hunting. —

Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 For some 50 years, the two main predators of moose--wolves and grizzlies--have been absent from the southern portion of the Yellowstone ecosystem, extirpated by humans. —

Mark Wheeler, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 In their wisdom, voters sought to extirpate Donald Trump from the White House in 2020 with surgical precision while leaving much of the Republican Party around him intact. —

Noah Rothman, National Review, 17 Jan. 2024 The building of Columbia Basin hydroelectric dams in the mid-20th century extirpated salmon from much of the upper Columbia River. —

B. “toastie” Oaster, ProPublica, 19 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extirpate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extirpate

Verb

California has spent millions eradicating invasive species like nutria, Atlantic cordgrass and the European green crab.

Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
By eradicating the metal wire, EBY instead opted for a nylon thread, taking over the duty of the wire.

Essence, Essence, 1 Nov. 2024