Definition of extirpatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extirpate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extirpate are eradicate, exterminate, and uproot. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," 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 is eradicate a more appropriate choice than extirpate?

Although the words eradicate and extirpate have much in common, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When would exterminate be a good substitute for extirpate?

While in some cases nearly identical to extirpate, exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When can uproot be used instead of extirpate?

The words uproot and extirpate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 extirpate Mountain lions were native to Arkansas until about 1920, when they were extirpated from the state through unregulated hunting and habitat loss. Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2025 But by the 1930s, the apex predators had been extirpated from the area, largely due to hunting, government eradication programs and habitat loss. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2025 While both black and brown bears can be found in abundance during a visit, the park made waves in 1995 with the reintroduction of gray wolves, an iconic species that was extirpated from the region in the early 20th century. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Wildlife officials have collared a dozen gray wolves in Northern California in an effort to better understand and manage the species that has made a comeback in the state after being extirpated a century ago. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extirpate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extirpate
Verb
  • Long-term Management Strategies The best way to completely eradicate ground ivy from your lawn and garden is through constant monitoring and removal methods.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
  • An invasive worm species is causing problems in the state, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture is asking residents to help eradicate it.
    Maria Braganini, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Just his ability to erase mistakes is extremely impressive where guys drive in the paint and see him and turn around and dribble out.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Satellite imagery reveals that in the weeks following the attack on the Abu Naser family building, more Israeli bombing nearly erased the rest of the neighborhood.
    Anas Baba, NPR, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Dreaded by some, dodged by others, and abolished by at least one executive entirely, quarterly earnings calls remain must-listen rituals for Wall Street and the business press, but not for most consumers or even rank‑and‑file employees.
    Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Its refusal to abolish slavery placed it in a small club of holdouts, with Cuba and Brazil.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.
    Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extirpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extirpate. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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