Vocabulary in context
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Eradicate
To remove or destroy completely, especially something harmful or unwanted, by rooting it out or eliminating it entirely.
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Imagine This
Picture a community plagued by persistent weeds. A determined gardener plants, pulls, and digs until every weed is uprooted and the garden is free of invaders.
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Sounds Like
ih-RAD-i-kayt
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Looks Like
resembles words like eradication and erase; visually shares the root 'radic' with related terms
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Remember This
Eradicate comes from Latin eradicare, meaning to pull up by the roots (e- out + radic- root).
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Other Forms
eradicationnoun
eradicatedverb (past participle)
eradicatingverb (present participle)
eradicableadjective
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Note
Commonly used with diseases, pests, corruption, or ignorance. Not the same as merely reducing symptoms; it implies complete elimination. Handle with care when discussing threats to people or groups to avoid hyperbole.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- Vaccination campaigns helped eradicate smallpox worldwide.
- The government aims to eradicate poverty by investing in health and education.
Synonyms
eliminatewipe outroot outextirpateexterminate
Antonyms
preservemaintainnurture
Etymology
From Latin eradicare 'to pull up by the roots,' from e- 'out' + radic- 'root'. The sense evolved to mean completely remove or destroy.
Mnemonic
Erase Roots: think of eradicating as literally erasing the roots and pulling them out.
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Depose
verbTo remove someone from a throne or other high office, typically through political or legal action.
Auspicious
adjectiveShowing signs or promise of future success; favorable and likely to lead to a good outcome.
Endorse
verbTo authorize by signing the back of a document (such as a check) or to publicly support or approve something.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Eliminate
verbTo remove or get rid of something completely; to render something no longer present or applicable.
Eradicate
verbTo remove or destroy completely, especially something harmful or unwanted, by rooting it out or eliminating it entirely.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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