Synonyms

eradicate

American

[ih-rad-i-keyt] / ɪˈræd ɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate.

to eradicate smallpox throughout the world.

Synonyms:

annihilate, exterminate, uproot, obliterate
to erase by rubbing or by means of a chemical solvent.

to eradicate a spot.
to pull up by the roots.

to eradicate weeds.

eradicate British

/ ɪˈrædɪˌkeɪt /

verb

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

"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

Synonym Usage

See abolish.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of eradicate

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

Explanation

To eradicate something is to get rid of it, to destroy it, and to kiss it goodbye. Eradicate is from the Latin word eradicare meaning "to root out." When you yank that weed up by the roots, it has been eradicated; it's not coming back. Eradicate often means to kill a bunch of somethings, like what you want the poison to do to the roach family and their extended relatives living in your house, and what we thought we did to bedbugs. You can also eradicate corruption, poverty, or diseases. Although there are all kinds of things to get rid of, we usually want to only eradicate the bad things.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing eradicate

The Maze Runner

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

Sterilization programs for male screwworm flies previously helped eradicate the parasite from the U.S.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

She said "immediate action" to contain and eradicate the parasite that has raised fears over the beef supply was underway.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Announcing the summit, the prime minister said "it is not enough to simply say we stand with Jewish communities", and that effort was needed across sectors to "eradicate antisemitism from every corner of society".

From BBC • May 4, 2026

China and other countries, Cambodia’s government in recent months embarked on a nationwide crackdown it said would eradicate online-scam activity by the end of April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The growing Christian Church was consolidating its power and attempting to eradicate pagan influence and culture.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023