Synonym Chooser

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

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 exterminate In the human body, for example, phages typically don’t exterminate their host bacteria. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Leering over his shoulder at every stage is his manipulative wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette), who encourages his worst instincts — like the assumption that Creepers are a threat and must therefore be exterminated — while indulging her obsession with sauces. Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025 All of Yosemite was on the backs of people who were exterminated. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 6 Feb. 2025 The Nazi program was to exterminate all Jews. Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exterminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exterminate
Verb
  • Guy Gooder, a graphic designer and the district’s community service project chair, said Edwards did not stick to the topic he was given and insulted the Rotarians by attacking federal agencies the organization works closely with to eradicate polio.
    Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
  • After initially eradicating chickweed plants, revisit the area weekly with a hoe to scuffle out seedlings that pop up.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The reported probe adds to a string of recent setbacks for the healthcare conglomerate that has erased more than half, or over $300 billion, from its market value since November, when shares were trading at record highs.
    Sneha S.K, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Even so, the change in staffing of the longstanding skycap service erases yet another defining feature that has differentiated Southwest from its rivals, says airline industry expert Henry Harteveldt.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • More news to know now The acting FEMA administrator was replaced after contradicting Trump on abolishing the agency.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • In February 1987, Sir Joseph Cantley found the club and county council, by then abolished, two-thirds and one-third responsible.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • An embarrassing, humbling, shocking Game 5 defeat showed that. All the same problems, the ones that destroyed Leaf team after Leaf team and ultimately ended Sheldon Keefe’s time as head coach, are emerging again at the worst possible time.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • At least 144 structures were destroyed and parts of Highway 44 were shut down, said St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exterminate. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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