eradicate
Americanverb (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.
verb
-
to obliterate; stamp out
-
to pull or tear up by the roots
Related Words
See abolish.
Other Word Forms
- eradicable adjective
- eradicably adverb
- eradicant adjective
- eradication noun
- eradicative adjective
- eradicator noun
- noneradicative adjective
- uneradicated adjective
- uneradicative adjective
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
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.
But Rommel Banlaoi, a Manila-based security analyst, told AFP that while many insurgent groups were "on the run", they were far from eradicated.
From Barron's
"We are working to completely eradicate online scam activities from their roots," the Myanmar junta's spokesman Gen Zaw Min Tun said.
From BBC
"Those in power in Northern Ireland must do better. This is horrific. Corridor care is undignified; it compromises confidentiality and causes harm. It must be eradicated," Dr Perry said.
From BBC
Without analysing their weaknesses, working on them, trying to mitigate or eradicate them.
From BBC
“The assistance of the United States… would help a lot to eradicate all these problems,” said a public official in Michoacán who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
