Definition of exterminatenext

Synonym Chooser

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 Orion wanted desperately to exterminate this nasty little hare, but just like Bugs Bunny, Lepus was just too clever and fast. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 Journalists on the ground in Palestine, who have been systematically exterminated by the Israeli military, risked their lives and the lives of their families to tell these stories. Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026 Here's how to combine the two for an ant-exterminating solution. Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026 In Thailand, tens of millions of poultry were exterminated and consumption plunged in fear of getting infected. Wasamon Audjarint, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exterminate
Verb
  • In Namibia, local authorities were producing millions of tons of wood chips while eradicating an invasive bush.
    Big Think, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Instead of eradicating catcher framing like full abdication to the robots would have, the challenge system adds new layers to the charade of trying to sell strikes.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Indians erased an early 3-0 deficit with 3 runs in the second and 4 in the fourth.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Then there is that silence motivated by the desire to protect one’s self through trying to erase the thing never discussed.
    Cyraina Johnson-Roullier, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the four and a half decades since France abolished the death penalty, the guillotine itself has rarely been seen.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • If holistic admissions were abolished (and admissions were based solely on grades, curricular rigor and test scores), the percentage of students with parents in the top 1% of income would drop by more than a third.
    David Blobaum, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Later, a fire at Hall’s grandmother’s house would destroy most of his magic act.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • This time around, in that first wave of strikes on February 28, American cruise missiles targeted and destroyed a building that ended up being a girls’ school—killing more than 168 young children who had just started their day of classes.
    Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exterminate. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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