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 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 Word was beginning to leak out about the Nazis’ plan to exterminate the Jews en masse. —

Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026 Despite abundant evidence of Israel’s genocidal intent, systematic atrocity crimes and ethnic cleansing, Germany continues to supply Israel with weapons used to exterminate Palestinians in Gaza. —

William Earl, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exterminate

Verb

But screening for latent TB — with treatment that can last up to nine months to fully eradicate the bacteria — is an expensive endeavor with a low payoff, considering that only 5% of people with latent TB will develop into an active case.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
If the name isn't enough to deter you, Langelo warns that bishop's weed (Aegopodium podagraria) is an extremely aggressive grower that is challenging to eradicate.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026