EXTERMINATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'exterminate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exterminate are eradicate , extirpate , and uproot . While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals. // exterminate cockroaches

Q: When is 'eradicate' a more appropriate choice than 'exterminate'?

The meanings of eradicate and exterminate largely overlap; however, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself. // a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extirpate' instead of 'exterminate'?

The words extirpate and exterminate can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When might 'uproot' be a better fit than 'exterminate'?

In some situations, the words uproot and exterminate are roughly equivalent. However, uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction. // the war uprooted thousands

exterminate

verb

ik-ˈstər-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of exterminate next

as in to eradicate

to destroy all traces of hope that the fumigant exterminates the whole colony of cockroaches, for any survivors may be resistant to any poison

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb exterminate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exterminate are eradicate, extirpate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When is eradicate a more appropriate choice than exterminate?

The meanings of eradicate and exterminate largely overlap; however, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When is it sensible to use extirpate instead of exterminate?

The words extirpate and exterminate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might uproot be a better fit than exterminate?

In some situations, the words uproot and exterminate are roughly equivalent. However, uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exterminate Here's how to combine the two for an ant-exterminating solution. —

Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 5 June 2026 Teller also warns that exterminating hives can harm native pollinators, such as bumblebees and wasps, through the insecticides used. —

Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 The pace of killings slackened, with cadres told to reeducate rather than exterminate those who’d strayed. —

Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026 To argue that the 8 million Jews of Israel have no right to exist as a polity, and must be exterminated or displaced, is, of course, genocidal in intent. —

Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exterminate

Verb

In 1980, smallpox became the first human disease ever eradicated worldwide.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
The rare partnership is giving the tribe an opportunity to introduce its language, history, culture that the federal government once tried to eradicate to soccer fans around the world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of eradicate

Verb

Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Cabot paints, says refreshing these pieces should never erase the charm.

— Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
In order to safely accomplish the stunt, Cruise was attached via a wire that was later erased in post production.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of erase

Verb

The other reconstruction amendments abolished slavery and expanded voting rights.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Trump and his supporters have repeatedly pushed Senate leaders to abolish the filibuster to pass the election bill, but there's also insufficient support to drastically change the chamber's procedures.

— Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026