act of extermination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of extermination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the deliberate elimination of a group or species, often in historical or legal discussions. Example: "The tribunal addressed the horrific act of extermination that occurred during the conflict, condemning those responsible for the atrocities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Paulo Cesar Quartiero, a rice planter, says the controversial reservation in Roraima is an act of "extermination", missing only the crematoria.

The Economist

Each time the Syrian government blocks U.N. aid from reaching areas under siege — as it has done routinely in the past four years — it may be perpetrating the act of "extermination," a crime against humanity that includes the "deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is responsible for the acts of extermination and murder aimed at permanently removing Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats from Bosnian-Serb claimed territory.

BBC

He just made a new short film, Ninjas, about the black masked police officers who perform acts of extermination, so we talked to him about it.

Vice

That October, a United Nations Commission of Experts found that the "concerted, planned, systematic and methodical" acts of "mass extermination perpetrated by Hutu elements against the Tutsi group" in Rwanda "constitute genocide".

The New Yorker

However, his bureaucratic job did not shield him completely from physical acts of the extermination process: as early as his first day, Gröning saw children hidden on the train, and those unable to walk that remained among the rubbish and debris after the selection process had been completed, being shot.

Wikipedia

Judge Nil Nonn said the men were guilty of "extermination encompassing murder, political persecution, and other inhumane acts comprising forced transfer, enforced disappearances and attacks against human dignity".

BBC

"A war of extermination," he calls it.

The New York Times - Books

"They are not subhuman monsters worthy of extermination".

The New York Times

The Palestinians say: "This is a war of extermination".

The Guardian

"I saw them as one image of extermination".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "act of extermination", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate and systematic effort to eliminate a group or species. Provide specific details about the target and the methods used to reinforce the severity of the action.

Common error

The phrase "act of extermination" should not be used to describe isolated incidents or actions that are not part of a larger, deliberate plan. Misusing the phrase dilutes its gravity and misrepresents the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of extermination" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific action—the act—and its nature—extermination. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts describing deliberate elimination.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of extermination" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a deliberate and systematic elimination of a group or species. Ludwig AI identifies it as usable and correct in English. Its usage tends to be formal and neutral, primarily appearing in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias. While less frequent, it is important to reserve this phrase for situations involving systematic destruction to maintain its gravity. Alternatives include "act of annihilation" and "act of genocide", each with subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act of annihilation

This alternative emphasizes complete destruction, similar to extermination but with a broader scope.

act of eradication

Eradication suggests a more thorough and permanent removal, often used in the context of diseases or pests.

campaign of extermination

This highlights the systematic and planned nature of the extermination, emphasizing its organized aspect.

policy of extermination

Focuses on the extermination as an established and official strategy.

program of extermination

This alternative emphasizes the systematic and structured implementation of extermination.

process of extermination

This term highlights the gradual and unfolding nature of the extermination.

crime of extermination

Highlights the illegality and moral reprehensibility of the extermination.

act of genocide

Genocide specifies the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

act of mass murder

Emphasizes the large scale of the killing involved.

act of ethnic cleansing

Specifically refers to the forced removal of an ethnic group from a territory.

FAQs

How can I use "act of extermination" in a sentence?

The phrase "act of extermination" is used to describe a deliberate and systematic effort to eliminate a group or species. For example, "The tribunal addressed the horrific "act of extermination" that occurred during the conflict, condemning those responsible for the atrocities".

What is the difference between "act of extermination" and "act of genocide"?

While both phrases describe the deliberate killing of a group, "act of genocide" specifically refers to actions intended to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The "act of extermination" can apply more broadly to any systematic elimination, including species.

What can I say instead of "act of extermination"?

You can use alternatives like "act of annihilation", "act of eradication", or "act of mass murder", depending on the specific context and the intended emphasis.

Is "act of extermination" a legal term?

The phrase "act of extermination" can be used in legal contexts, particularly when discussing crimes against humanity or war crimes. It often appears in international legal documents and discussions related to genocide and ethnic cleansing. Note that it's closely related to "crime of extermination" too.