eradicate

[ ih-rad-i-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, e·rad·i·cat·ed, e·rad·i·cat·ing.

1. to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate:

   to eradicate smallpox throughout the world.

   Synonyms: annihilate, exterminate, uproot, obliterate

2. to erase by rubbing or by means of a chemical solvent:

   to eradicate a spot.

3. to pull up by the roots:

   to eradicate weeds.

eradicate

/ ɪˈrædɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to obliterate; stamp out
2. to pull or tear up by the roots

Derived Forms

• eˌradiˈcation, noun
• eˈradiˌcator, noun
• eˈradicable, adjective
• eˈradicably, adverb
• eˈradicative, adjective

Other Words From

• e·rad·i·cant [ih-, rad, -i-k, uh, nt], adjective noun
• e·rad·i·ca·tion [ih-rad-i-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• e·rad·i·ca·tive adjective
• e·rad·i·ca·tor noun
• non·e·rad·i·ca·tive adjective
• un·e·rad·i·cat·ed adjective
• un·e·rad·i·ca·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eradicate¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin ērādīcātus “rooted out” (past participle of ērādīcāre ), equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + rādīc- (stem of rādīx ) root ¹ + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of eradicate¹

C16: from Latin ērādīcāre to uproot, from ex- ¹+ rādīx root

Synonym Study

See abolish.

Example Sentences

The fascist leader must construct scary enemies for the followers to fear because the only way he achieves power is to promise he alone can eradicate the threat.

From Salon

Implicit in many discussions about "unity" was a hope that all those liberals would shut up, bend the knee, go back into the closet, or whatever else it takes to hide or eradicate difference.

From Salon

“What I’m saying is the combination of special operations and drones, I think, could eradicate the manufacturing facilities, kill the distribution networks, and make a real dent in what is a terrorist activity.”

From Salon

Peter MacPherson, professor of global public health at the University of Glasgow, said he hoped the lessons from 1957 can help efforts to eradicate TB today as the disease still kills more than 1.2m people a year around the world.

From BBC

By hook or by crook, Napoli are finding the way to accumulate the wins under Conte and the former captain and coach of Juventus is doing well to eradicate the Azzurri’s soft underbelly.

From BBC

Related Words

• abolish
• annihilate
• eliminate
• erase
• expunge
• exterminate
• extinguish
• stamp out
• uproot
• weed out
• wipe out