EXTIRPATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

extirpate

verb

ˈek-stər-ˌpāt

Definition of extirpate

as in to eradicate

to destroy all traces of the triumph of modern medicine in extirpating certain diseases

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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 Over a century earlier sea otters, another key urchin predator, were extirpated by the fur trade, leaving the system precariously reliant on sea stars alone. — Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026 The bears were extirpated, or intentionally eliminated from an area, decades ago. — Eva Flowe may 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026 Though otters were never completely extirpated from Pennsylvania, the state park says their numbers were vastly reduced. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 It's believed the last wolves in California were extirpated by the 1920s. — NPR, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extirpate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extirpate

Verb

Yet, we’re told by this administration that non-citizen voting is rampant and must be eradicated.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
Plans to eradicate the remaining invasive mammals is already underway.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of eradicate

Verb

Credit stress at CoreWeave, concerns over corporate AI spending and another hot inflation report erased more than $1 trillion from 20 of the world's largest AI and semiconductor stocks this week.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
His apprehension turned into anger when the city’s Department of Transportation erased the DIY crosswalks two months later.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of erase

Verb

In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is also gaining ground and wants to abolish the license fee that finances public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Although California had technically abolished slavery in its 1849 constitution, no legal authority troubled Smith about his human property.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of abolish

Verb

Rather than undertaking the difficult but just and moral work of reform of the nation's immigration laws, Vance would destroy and expel their families with a smile, claiming that such actions will save you money.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Running low on fuel, NASA chose to steer Cassini straight into Saturn's atmosphere, where the spacecraft was destroyed.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroy

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extinguishing

extirpate

extirpated

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“Extirpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extirpate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extirpate

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