online vocabulary.com

Exterminating - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Exterminating means completely destroying or eliminating something, often pests, insects, or unwanted organisms. It implies a thorough and deliberate effort to remove a problem entirely.

exterminating

/ɪkˈstɜːrmɪneɪtɪŋ/ /ɪkˈstɜːmɪneɪtɪŋ/

Definition:

Destroying completely, especially pests or unwanted organisms.

Synonyms:

eradicating, annihilating, eliminating, obliterating

Part of Speech:

verb, adjective

Antonyms:

preserving, protecting

Common Collocations:

exterminating pests, exterminating vermin, exterminating insects

Derivatives:

exterminator, extermination

Usage Tips:

Use "exterminating" for deliberate destruction of pests or threats; avoid for casual contexts like cleaning or removing objects.

Common Phrases:

exterminate with extreme prejudice, like exterminating cockroaches

Etymology:

From Latin "exterminare," meaning "drive out" or "destroy."

Examples:

  • 1. The farmer is exterminating rats in his barn.
  • 2. They hired a professional for exterminating termites in their house.
  • 3. Exterminating invasive species helps protect native wildlife.
  • 4. The government is focused on exterminating the disease-carrying mosquitoes.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS