eradicate

[ih-rad-i-keyt]

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verb (used with object), e·rad·i·cat·ed, e·rad·i·cat·ing.

to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate: to eradicate smallpox throughout the world.

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

to pull up by the roots: to eradicate weeds.

Origin of eradicate

1555–65; < Latin ērādīcātus rooted out (past participle of ērādīcāre), equivalent to ē- e-¹ + rādīc- (stem of rādīx) root¹ + -ātus -ate¹

Related formse·rad·i·cant

[ih-rad-i-kuhnt] /ɪˈræd ɪ kənt/, adjective, noune·rad·i·ca·tion, noune·rad·i·ca·tive, adjectivee·rad·i·ca·tor, nounnon·e·rad·i·ca·tive, adjectiveun·e·rad·i·cat·ed, adjectiveun·e·rad·i·ca·tive, adjective

Synonyms for eradicate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR eradicate ON THESAURUS.COM

1. obliterate, uproot, exterminate, annihilate.

Synonym study

1. See abolish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for eradicate

annihilate, exterminate, expunge, abolish, erase, eliminate, uproot, extinguish, efface, demolish, total, off, abate, liquidate, obliterate, trash, squash, purge, extirpate, scratch

Examples from the Web for eradicate

Contemporary Examples of eradicate

We need Obama to follow through on his promise to eradicate it.
The West’s Female-Genital Mutilation Wake-Up Call
Charlotte Lytton
October 20, 2014
It might take us centuries to eradicate the sexism that powers the harassment of women on a cultural level.
Will the Internet Ever Be Safe for Women?
Samantha Allen
August 28, 2014
First impressions are tough to eradicate—especially in the cutthroat world of Hollywood.
Brooklyn Decker on Her ‘Horrible’ Modeling Experiences, Marriage, and Cracking Hollywood
Marlow Stern
April 11, 2014
Erdogan had announced the move in a speech on Thursday, vowing to “eradicate Twitter.”
Turkey’s Useless Twitter Ban
Thomas Seibert
March 21, 2014
“We will eradicate Twitter”, he said during a campaign speech on Thursday.
Turkey’s Useless Twitter Ban
Thomas Seibert
March 21, 2014

Historical Examples of eradicate

"Let's eradicate him from the face of the earth, Reddy," proposed David.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
Eradicate the uric acid from the system, and then the rheumatism will disappear.
Dollars and Sense
Col. Wm. C. Hunter
They had been bred in my bones, and it was impossible to eradicate them.
The Expressman and the Detective
Allan Pinkerton
The country here is infested by guerillas, whom all our efforts cannot eradicate.
Under Wellington's Command
G. A. Henty
Have I realized that, if I cannot eradicate an evil habit, probably no one else can or will?
Bertha and Her Baptism
Nehemiah Adams

British Dictionary definitions for eradicate

eradicate

verb (tr)

to obliterate; stamp out

to pull or tear up by the roots

Derived Formseradicable, adjectiveeradicably, adverberadication, nouneradicative, adjectiveeradicator, noun

Word Origin for eradicate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for eradicate

early 15c., from Latin eradicatus, past participle of eradicare "to root out" (see eradication). Related: Eradicated; eradicating; eradicable.