EXTERMINATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'exterminate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exterminate are eradicate , extirpate , and uproot . While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals. // exterminate cockroaches

Q: When is 'eradicate' a more appropriate choice than 'exterminate'?

The meanings of eradicate and exterminate largely overlap; however, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself. // a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extirpate' instead of 'exterminate'?

The words extirpate and exterminate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might 'uproot' be a better fit than 'exterminate'?

In some situations, the words uproot and exterminate are roughly equivalent. However, uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction. // the war uprooted thousands

exterminate

verb

ik-ˈstər-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of exterminate next

as in to eradicate

to destroy all traces of hope that the fumigant exterminates the whole colony of cockroaches, for any survivors may be resistant to any poison

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb exterminate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exterminate are eradicate, extirpate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When is eradicate a more appropriate choice than exterminate?

The meanings of eradicate and exterminate largely overlap; however, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When is it sensible to use extirpate instead of exterminate?

The words extirpate and exterminate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might uproot be a better fit than exterminate?

In some situations, the words uproot and exterminate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 exterminate Orion wanted desperately to exterminate this nasty little hare, but just like Bugs Bunny, Lepus was just too clever and fast. —

Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 Journalists on the ground in Palestine, who have been systematically exterminated by the Israeli military, risked their lives and the lives of their families to tell these stories. —

Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026 Here's how to combine the two for an ant-exterminating solution. —

Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026 In Thailand, tens of millions of poultry were exterminated and consumption plunged in fear of getting infected. —

Wasamon Audjarint, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exterminate

Verb

Images by Lisa Kristine were made possible by the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation in Partnership with Human Thread Foundation to eradicate slavery and human trafficking.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Treating the underlying condition eradicates the need for drug treatments that act globally.

— Dr. Patricia Richard, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026