Extirpate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Extirpate means to completely destroy or remove something, especially a group, idea, or problem. It is often used in contexts like eliminating diseases, invasive species, or harmful practices.
Definition:
To destroy or remove completely, especially a group or species.
Synonyms:
eradicate, eliminate, annihilate, uproot
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
preserve, protect
Common Collocations:
extirpate weeds, extirpate pests, extirpate corruption
Derivatives:
extirpation, extirpative
Usage Tips:
Use "extirpate" for deliberate, thorough destruction, often of something harmful or unwanted.
Common Phrases:
root and branch, wipe out, stamp out
Etymology:
From Latin *extirpare*, meaning "to root out," from *ex-* (out) + *stirps* (root).
Examples:
- 1. The farmers worked to extirpate the invasive plants from their fields.
- 2. The government launched a campaign to extirpate corruption in public offices.
- 3. Hunters nearly extirpated the wolves from this region decades ago.
- 4. Efforts to extirpate the disease have been largely successful so far.