ERADICATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

eradicate

verb

i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt

Definition of eradicate next

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of the successful effort to eradicate smallpox around the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 According to an Ohio Black Bear Monitoring Report released in May, black bears were eradicated from Ohio by 1850 due to habitat loss and hunting. —

Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 In the 1960s, screwworm was eradicated from America thanks to robust foreign assistance. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026 The sound of water, which normally underlay everyday life, had been momentarily eradicated. —

Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 New World screwworm was never fully eradicated from the Americas, however. —

Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eradicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate

Verb

By the time the boundary issues were partially corrected in the 1960s, both the cemetery and the surrounding Black community had been largely erased from public memory.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026
Still, state environmental officials and weather experts say the rainfall deficits dating back to last fall have not been completely erased.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of erase

Verb

Avila Chevalier survived a deluge of attacks for previous social media posts that called for abolishing the police and prisons.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Earlier this month, the bloc also released more information about its own plans for abolishing its de minimis exemption on June 30.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.

— Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026