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 Resolving the tension between the hostage question and the war, then, requires securing the release of the hostages first and eradicating Hamas later. Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025 Despite knowing about the problem, the suit alleges, management failed to eradicate the pests from the hotel, exposing guests to harm. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 Volunteer in a California state park or join the local chapter of California Native Plant Society project to eradicate invasive plants and preserve native habitats. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025 Surgeons removed her thyroid gland but did not fully eradicate the cancer, which had spread to her vocal cords, the paper said. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for eradicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eradicate
Verb
  • But the suddenly lukewarm Rockies, who seemed primed to erase the 2024 Sox from the record books, entered Wednesday’s game against Washington with a three-game win streak and a 7-7 record in their last 14 games.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
  • Clark tried to erase the memories of his disappointment at Oakmont with an opening round 6-under 64 on Thursday, putting him tied for second in the early afternoon.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Lethal injection is the only method of execution after firing squads were abolished in 2011.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 June 2025
  • Beginning in the 1950s, between 20 million and 25 million households gained ownership of plots of land through the government’s scheme to abolish the colonial-era zamindari system of tax-collecting landlords.
    Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • But the conflict has only escalated, with Russia’s launching some of its most extensive strikes in a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of casualties, and Ukraine’s carrying out the audacious Operation Spiderweb drone attack, which damaged or destroyed strategic aircraft inside Russia.
    Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
  • To destroy the site, an attack would have to come in waves, with bombers releasing one after another down the same hole.
    Samuel Granados, New York Times, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eradicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eradicate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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