extirpate

Destroy down completely

Extirpate means to destroy completely or root out.

The word suggests thorough removal—not just killing but eliminating entirely: The invasive species was extirpated from the island.

It applies to populations, practices, or ideas: efforts to extirpate heresy, extirpate corruption.

The noun is extirpation.

eradicate

annihilate

Destroy completely, leaving nothing

obliterateDestroy all traces of
exterminateDestroy completely, every one
abolishOfficially end a practice

eliminate · expunge · purge · efface · wipe out · stamp out · root out · blot out · liquidate · quash

uproot

extract

Concentrated derived substance

exciseRemove by cutting
removeTake something away
dislodgeForce from position

pull out · tear out · dig up · weed out · deracinate · unearth · displace · cut out · rip out · clear

surgical

excise

Remove by cutting

resectSurgically cut away
ablateRemove surface material gradually
removeTake something away

cut out · dissect · extract · debride · amputate · enucleate · curette

Categories

root outroot out, flush out, ferret out, smoke out, weed out
cancelcancel, annul, nullify, invalidate, revoke
Destroydestroy, annihilate, obliterate, demolish, devastate
pullingpull, tug, yank, drag, haul
rejectionrejection, reject, denial, refuse, refusal

Opposites

existence and survival

extirpatepreserve

Protect from loss

conserve · protect · save · safeguard · perpetuate

construction and creation

extirpatecreate

Cause to exist

build · construct · establish · generate · form

restoration and repair

extirpateimplant

Device placed inside tissue

establish · restore · rebuild · reconstruct · reestablish

Family

extirpation, extirpated

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG