Main Entry: ex·ter·mi·nate

Pronunciation: \ik-ˈstər-mə-ˌnāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·ter·mi·nat·ed; ex·ter·mi·nat·ing

Etymology: Latin exterminatus, past participle of exterminare, from ex- + terminus boundary — more at term

Date: 1591

: to get rid of completely usually by killing off <exterminate termites and cockroaches>

— ex·ter·mi·na·tion \-ˌstər-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

— ex·ter·mi·na·tor \-ˈstər-mə-ˌnā-tər\ noun

synonyms exterminate, extirpate, eradicate, uproot mean to effect the destruction or abolition of something. exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals <exterminate cockroaches>. 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>. eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself <a campaign to eradicate illiteracy>. uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction <the war uprooted thousands>.