Definition
To eradicate means to completely destroy or eliminate something, especially a problem or disease, and remove it completely from existence.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
annihilate, eliminate, obliterate, exterminate, wipe out
Antonyms
Create, establish, restore, revive, construct
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | eradications, eradicators, eradicator, eradication |
| Verb | eradicate, eradicating, eradicates, eradicated |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The government’s goal is to eradicate corruption from the system.
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The use of vaccines has helped to eradicate several diseases.
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The environmentalists are striving to eradicate the use of plastic bags.
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The military operation was launched to eradicate the terrorist organization from the region.
Usage
The word “eradicate” is often used in the context of eliminating something harmful or problematic from a particular situation. It can refer to a wide range of issues, including diseases, pests, corruption, and crime.
The word “eradicate” is derived from the Latin word “eradicare,” meaning “to root out.” This root word “radic” also appears in other English words like “radical” and “radish,” which are related to the concept of roots.
The prefix “e-” in “eradicate” means “out of” or “from,” indicating that the action of eradicating involves removing something completely from a particular context. The word “eradicate” is often used in the context of public health campaigns to eliminate diseases, such as smallpox, polio, and measles. In this context, eradication involves eliminating the disease from all populations and geographic areas.
Similarly, the word “eradicate” is used in the context of agriculture and pest control to remove harmful pests, such as insects or weeds, from a crop or field. Eradication involves removing the pests completely from the field to prevent them from causing further damage to the crop.
Overall, the word “eradicate” conveys a sense of finality and completeness in removing something harmful or problematic from a particular context. It is often used in contexts where the goal is to completely eliminate something, rather than simply reducing its impact.