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

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Recent Examples of eradicate More imminently, Krugman wrote war costs could collide with fears of artificial intelligence eradicating jobs—or eventually suffering a reversal in fortunes on the market, taking asset prices and business confidence down with it. —

Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 However, the gap to Arsenal is back up to seven points, below, and in trying eradicate it, City are chasing a ghost. —

Phil Hay, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 And finally, externally, impacts from objects passing through our inner Solar System could wipe all of humanity out, just as so much terrestrial life was eradicated 65 million years ago. —

Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026 So far, Operation Epic Fury has aimed its fire in large part at Iran’s ballistic-missile capabilities, a tactic designed to eradicate the threat at its source. —

Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eradicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate

Verb

The Red Raiders erase a 21-point deficit.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
When young mice that were housed with older mice were given antibiotics, however, the effect was erased.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026