extirpate
/ˈek.stə.peɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To remove or get rid of something completely, especially a problem, disease, or harmful group. It is formal and often used in writing.
- The government tried to extirpate corruption.
- They worked to extirpate the invasive plant.
- The disease was almost extirpated from the region.
Adinary Nuance
Extirpate is stronger and more formal than remove, reduce, or eliminate. It suggests complete destruction, not just making something smaller or less common. Writers often use it for serious problems, pests, diseases, or harmful practices. In everyday speech, people usually choose kill off, get rid of, or eliminate instead.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- diệt trừ
- Spanish
- extirpar
- Chinese
- 根除
- Japanese
- 根絶する
- Korean
- 박멸하다
Etymology
Extirpate comes from Latin extirpare, meaning “to pull out by the roots.” It entered English in the 16th century and kept its strong, formal sense of complete removal.
Common phrases
extirpate a diseaseextirpate corruptionextirpate a pest
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is extirpate a common word?
- No, it is uncommon in everyday speech. You are more likely to see it in formal writing or academic texts.
- Is extirpate stronger than eliminate?
- Yes. Extirpate suggests total removal or destruction, while eliminate can be less extreme.
- Can I use extirpate in speaking?
- You can, but it may sound very formal or old-fashioned. Most speakers use simpler words.