Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extirpate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extirpate are eradicate, exterminate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," 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 is eradicate a more appropriate choice than extirpate?

Although the words eradicate and extirpate have much in common, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When would exterminate be a good substitute for extirpate?

While in some cases nearly identical to extirpate, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When can uproot be used instead of extirpate?

The words uproot and extirpate 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 extirpate But by the 1930s, the apex predators had been extirpated from the area, largely due to hunting, government eradication programs and habitat loss. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2025 While both black and brown bears can be found in abundance during a visit, the park made waves in 1995 with the reintroduction of gray wolves, an iconic species that was extirpated from the region in the early 20th century. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Wildlife officials have collared a dozen gray wolves in Northern California in an effort to better understand and manage the species that has made a comeback in the state after being extirpated a century ago. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extirpate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extirpate
Verb
  • Policymakers can acknowledge the complicated history of vaccines, public health and race, while also recognizing how advancements in science and medicine have given us the opportunity to eradicate many of these diseases in the United States today.
    Stacie Kershner, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The drop-off between the starting player and his backup was still too great in some areas of Arsenal’s squad last season, but that has now been eradicated.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The surge of activity at the memorial fits into a wider Republican push to erase Democrats’ registration advantages in battleground states.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Bulsara was desperate to transform himself in that mold, to erase his recent past as a gawky, shy, bucktoothed kid .
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, California has made moves to abolish biannual clock changes.
    Hannah Poukish September 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2025
  • To preserve slavery in its territories, Britain failed to officially recognize Haitian independence until 1838, when slavery was fully abolished in its colonies.
    Marlene L. Daut September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a poignant touch, the seating within is made of wood sourced from ancient cedar trees, which previously grew near a Japanese temple destroyed by the earthquake.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
  • His death destroyed the agent’s two-year path to take down the Invernizzi family.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extirpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extirpate. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extirpate

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