Synonyms of eradicate

eradicate

verb

i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt 

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of

the successful effort to eradicate smallpox around the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erase
• abolish
• destroy
• obliterate
• exterminate
• annihilate
• expunge
• extirpate
• demolish
• efface
• wipe out
• liquidate
• cancel
• sweep (away)
• kill
• shatter
• clean (up)
• dismantle
• blot out
• stamp (out)
• ruin
• discard
• consume
• root (out)
• snuff (out)
• devastate
• ravage
• rub out
• dissolve
• decimate
• black out
• flatten
• waste
• expel
• fragment
• wreck
• smash
• tear down
• eject
• dash
• mow (down)
• powder
• total
• devour
• finish
• raze
• terminate
• excise
• oust
• kill off
• ditch
• blow up
• pulverize
• blast
• doom
• atomize
• cut
• zap
• throw out
• jettison
• dynamite
• splinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• preserve
• save
• conserve
• create
• build
• make
• construct
• form
• manufacture
• shape
• restore
• forge
• fabricate
• fix
• reconstruct
• rebuild
• frame
• repair
• renew
• patch
• mend
• fashion
• renovate
• revamp
• recondition

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

Recent Examples of eradicate

How mouthwash affects your oral microbiome The oral microbiome is not a collection of pathogens to be eradicated. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Students came together as a community to ask Cook County School District 130 Superintendent and the board of education to take immediate action to eradicate cockroaches, mold, mice and maggots from their schools. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Swaminarayan monks, who practice the eightfold version, see it as an important way to help eradicate all traces of desire and remain singularly focused on God. — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Community meetings focus on eradicating the homeless and protecting property values rather than supporting neighbors or providing shelter. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

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