Synonyms of eradicate

eradicate

verb

i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt 

as in to erase

to destroy all traces of

the successful effort to eradicate smallpox around the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erase
• abolish
• destroy
• obliterate
• exterminate
• annihilate
• expunge
• extirpate
• demolish
• efface
• wipe out
• liquidate
• cancel
• sweep (away)
• kill
• shatter
• clean (up)
• dismantle
• blot out
• stamp (out)
• ruin
• discard
• consume
• root (out)
• snuff (out)
• devastate
• ravage
• rub out
• dissolve
• decimate
• black out
• flatten
• waste
• expel
• fragment
• wreck
• smash
• tear down
• eject
• dash
• mow (down)
• powder
• devour
• total
• finish
• raze
• terminate
• excise
• oust
• kill off
• ditch
• blow up
• pulverize
• blast
• doom
• atomize
• cut
• zap
• throw out
• jettison
• splinter
• dynamite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• preserve
• save
• conserve
• create
• build
• make
• construct
• form
• manufacture
• shape
• restore
• forge
• fabricate
• fix
• reconstruct
• rebuild
• frame
• repair
• renew
• patch
• mend
• fashion
• renovate
• revamp
• recondition

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb eradicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of eradicate are exterminate, extirpate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

In what contexts can exterminate take the place of eradicate?

Although the words exterminate and eradicate have much in common, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When is it sensible to use extirpate instead of eradicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to eradicate, 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 can uproot be used instead of eradicate?

The words uproot and eradicate 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

Recent Examples of eradicate

In addition, these nanotechnologies offer the potential to eradicate heavy metal emissions and ceramic particulate risks, creating a cleaner vaping experience. —Corey Koffler, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025

In 2021, Hard Rock International opened a three-hundred-million-dollar casino just off one of Gary’s interstates, and later donated three million dollars to the city’s effort to eradicate blight. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Trump signs order to ‘eradicate anti-Christian bias’ in US, citing trans & LGBTQ sentiments, via Jenavieve Hatch. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2025

Prions behave differently than viruses and bacteria and are virtually impossible to eradicate. —Jim Robbin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

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