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
Synonym Usage
See abolish.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
eradicatornoun
-
eradicantadjective
-
eradicablyadverb
-
uneradicativeadjective
-
eradicableadjective
-
eradicativeadjective
-
eradicationnoun
-
noneradicativeadjective
-
uneradicatedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have eradicatedperfect
-
has eradicatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
am eradicatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are eradicatingprogressive
-
have been eradicatingperfect progressive
-
eradicatingparticiple
-
eradicatessingular 3rd person
-
is eradicatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been eradicatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had eradicatedperfect
-
was eradicatingprogressive singular
-
had been eradicatingperfect progressive
-
eradicatedparticiple
-
were eradicatingprogressive plural
-
eradicatedsimple
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.
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
Once misinformation or disinformation takes root in the public sphere, it’s almost impossible to eradicate.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
But a target to eradicate long waits by the end of March was missed by the Scottish government, with more than 44,000 such cases recorded.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
We reminded them that the idea of the campaign was to focus attention on our grievances, not eradicate them.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
