Synonym Chooser

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

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 eradicate The idea was to basically create this sense of urgency and to almost link it to our collective heartbeat and excitement to try to eradicate the remaining 13 cases as quickly as possible. Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025 This is the formula—see, believe, create—that has eradicated smallpox, cut deaths from heart disease by more than two thirds, and eliminated lead from gasoline, raising children’s IQs around the world. Dr. Tom Frieden, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 This explains why some infections are so difficult to eradicate. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025 One need not eradicate all dissent to be effective. Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eradicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate
Verb
  • One swing of the bat has erased all of that, and Judge now has another (contrary to popular belief) significant postseason moment.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, when your organization was founded less than 45 years after slavery was abolished, when Black women were still being forced to be wet nurses to the very children of those who oppressed them and lynching was a common occurrence below the Mason-Dixon Line?
    Essence, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The European Parliament has twice called for Yahaya’s release, asking Nigeria to set an example by abolishing the blasphemy laws under which he has been detained for over five years.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The fear of further Israeli strikes, particularly on Iran, remains acute in the public’s mind as much of Iranian air defenses likely were destroyed by Israel in June.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The Wild were absolutely destroyed in the faceoff circle, losing 44 of 71 (38 percent success rate).
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eradicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eradicate. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eradicate

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