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 Yet minimizing and possibly even eradicating infectious diseases is a collective act that requires nearly everyone to play their part. Simon Williams, Time, 8 Sep. 2025 Will eradicated diseases make a comeback if vaccination rates decline? Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 In the 20th century, vaccines were used to eradicate diseases such as smallpox. Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Bonacini wants gold — a sterilizing cure that eradicates every trace of the virus and cannot return. Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eradicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate
Verb
  • Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Merz, for his part, would like to abolish this daily working limit while still maintaining the 40-hour workweek, allowing working days to become more flexible.
    Alex Ledsom, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In 2018, China’s legislature abolished presidential term limits in a ceremonial vote, effectively allowing Xi to rule for life.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eradicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eradicate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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