eradicate

verb

erad·​i·​cate i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce eradicate (audio)
eradicated; eradicating

transitive verb

1
: to do away with as completely as if by pulling up by the roots
programs to eradicate illiteracy
2
: to pull up by the roots
eradicable adjective
eradication noun
eradicator noun

Did you know?

The Root of Eradicate Is, Literally, Root

Given that eradicate first meant "to pull up by the roots," it's not surprising that the root of eradicate means, in fact, "root." Eradicate, which first turned up in English in the 16th century, comes from eradicatus, the past participle of the Latin verb eradicare. Eradicare, in turn, can be traced back to the Latin word radix, meaning "root" or "radish." Although eradicate began life as a word for literal uprooting, by the mid-17th century it had developed a metaphorical application to removing things the way one might yank an undesirable weed up by the roots. Other descendants of radix in English include radical and radish. Even the word root itself is related; it comes from the same ancient word that gave Latin radix.

Choose the Right Synonym for eradicate

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

Examples of eradicate in a Sentence

The disease has now been completely eradicated. His ambition is to eradicate poverty in his community.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Our rating: False The World Health Organization declared smallpox officially eradicated in 1980. Chris Mueller, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Nov. 2024 These efforts are a part of Paul Quinn’s broader mission to eradicate generational poverty. Melissa Noel, Essence, 25 Nov. 2024 As an example, consider measles, a disease that was considered to be eradicated in 2000 because of successful childhood vaccination rates. Omer Awan, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Research has found that the breathing movements in our lung walls trigger a protective immune response that eradicates viruses and inflammation in lung tissue.8 8. Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eradicate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin eradicatus, past participle of eradicare, from e- + radic-, radix root — more at root

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of eradicate was in 1532

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Dictionary Entries Near eradicate

Cite this Entry

“Eradicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eradicate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

eradicate

verb
erad·​i·​cate i-ˈrad-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce eradicate (audio)
eradicated; eradicating
: to remove by or as if by uprooting : eliminate, destroy
eradicate weeds
eradicating a disease
eradication noun
Etymology

from Latin eradicatus, past participle of eradicare "to root out, pull up by the roots," from e-, ex- "out, forth" and radic-, radix "root" — related to radical, radish see Word History at radical

More from Merriam-Webster on eradicate

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