Eradicate: Definition, Examples, and Synonyms

Meaning 1：destroy completely (eradicate)

eradicate 🔊

/ɪˈrædɪkeɪt/

vt.

To destroy something completely, like pulling a weed out by its root so it can never grow back.

Eradicate meaning: hands pulling weed roots from soil

destroy completely 🔊

➕

/dɪˈstrɔɪ kəmˈpliːtli/

vt.

To completely destroy or remove something, leaving no trace, as if pulling out its roots.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'radix' (root), meaning 'to root out'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'E' (out) + 'radish' (root vegetable) — pulling a radish out by its root to destroy it completely.

📖 Example

Global scientists are working hard to eradicate certain diseases, like smallpox, which was completely wiped out in 1980. 🔊 Global scientists are working hard to eradicate certain diseases, like smallpox, which was completely wiped out in 1980.

🔗 Collocations

eradicate a disease – to completely eliminate a disease

eradicate poverty – to completely end poverty

eradicate corruption – to completely remove corruption from a system

🔄 Synonyms

eliminate (vt.) – to completely remove or get rid of something

exterminate (vt.) – to destroy completely, especially living things

annihilate (vt.) – to destroy something utterly, leaving nothing

🚫 Antonyms

preserve (vt.) – to keep something in its original state, protecting it from harm

cultivate (vt.) – to promote growth or development, opposite of uprooting

nurture (vt.) – to care for and encourage growth, opposite of destruction

🌱 Derivatives

eradication (n.) – the act of completely destroying or removing something

eradicator (n.) – a person or thing that eradicates

📖 Cultural Story

Eradicate comes from Latin 'eradicare' (to root out). Historically used in agriculture for removing weeds. In modern English, it's often used in public health contexts, like eradicating smallpox.