exterminate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- exterminable adjective
- extermination noun
- exterminative adjective
- exterminator noun
- nonextermination noun
- self-extermination noun
- unexterminable adjective
- unexterminated adjective
Etymology
Origin of exterminate
1535–45; < Latin exterminātus, past participle of extermināre to extermine; -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She appears to tell Epstein that "the British press is ready to exterminate me" and that the Palace is "not equipped to deal with all of this huge wave of negativity".
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026
In 17th century Ireland, Robyn Goodfellowe is an apprentice hunter who follows her father when he’s called in to exterminate wolves.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025
Mr. Biden will travel to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to deliver the keynote address of the Holocaust museum’s yearly event and remember the Nazi effort to exterminate the Jewish people in Europe.
From New York Times • May 1, 2024
But I think there is a very different scenario that threatens humanity that will likely occur long before AI decides to exterminate us.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024
We apologize for any distress and have taken measures to clean up the room and exterminate the rodents.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
