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 France: Enhancing diets There’s perhaps no better sign of the incomplete progress made on nutrition than the resurgence of diseases of nutritional insufficiency that should be easy to eradicate. Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 After smallpox was largely eradicated through shots, monkeypox slowly became a factor; the smallpox vaccine was at least partially effective in stopping mpox. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025 Israel’s strategy since the start of the war has been to ensure that there is no viable alternative to govern Gaza after Hamas is eradicated. Khalil Shikaki, Time, 2 Apr. 2025 Despite this success, these drugs do not completely eradicate the chronic lung infections that plague individuals with cystic fibrosis. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eradicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate
Verb
  • Still, the Biden administration erased student loan debt for more than 5 million borrowers through other forgiveness programs.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • While the Yankees made two errors in the game, a pickoff play between Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base erased a two-base mistake from Oswaldo Cabrera in the fourth.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The most recent collective bargaining agreement, signed by the players and the league, abolished the college draft and opened the door for every new player to enter the league as a free agent.
    Meg Linehan, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Others, like the Cato Institute, go one step further and suggest FEMA be abolished entirely, replaced by market solutions and state compacts.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In Hood County, the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department reported that a home southwest of Tolar was destroyed by a tornado and several others were damaged about 9 p.m. Possible tornadoes also were reported in Jack County and Erath County, according to the National Weather Service.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eradicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eradicate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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