eradicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eradicate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means to completely destroy or eliminate something. You can use it in any written context when referring to a thing or concept that you are wanting to destroy or wipe out. Example: After years of research and effort, scientists have been able to eradicate the disease completely.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does it aim to diffuse the practice or to eradicate it?" The prosecution replied: "State policy is aimed at the eradication [of torture], of course!".

The Guardian

The prime minister made no mention of chancellor George Osborne's pledge on Monday to freeze working age benefits for two years, but said the plan to eradicate the deficit by 2017-18 through a further £25bn of public spending cuts was doable, adding it represents only 3% of government annual spend.

The Guardian

And now the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which has fought for digital civil liberties since 1990, has launched a campaign to eradicate digital rights management (DRM) called Apollo 1201, referring to the section of the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) that prevents users tampering with the digital locks on the things they own, such as books, music and movies.

The Guardian - Books

A key target in the SDGs is to eradicate extreme poverty – defined as those living on less than $1.25 a day – by 2030.

The Guardian

His own experiences ensured that no amount of cajolery could eradicate from his heart a deep burning hatred of the Tory party.

The Guardian

He stressed the UK must work to eradicate slavery at home and abroad.

The Guardian

If European politicians and consumers want to eradicate poverty every time they drink a cup of coffee they should send €0.10 a cup as compensation to the people living in coffee-producing regions.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Russian Football Union is making all the efforts to eradicate these things," Alexei Sorokin, the head of the 2018 World Cup Committee, said in October.

The Guardian - Sport

But with parasite species becoming resistant to the drugs and insecticides used to treat them, members of the global health community are putting more hope in vaccines as a promising new tool in the fight to control and eventually eradicate the disease.

The Guardian

She decided to eradicate the power of the unions, undermine local government and privatise assets – and these were the three policies of the labour movement.

The Guardian

If European politicians and consumers want to eradicate poverty, they should pay €0.10 a cup to coffee-producing regions Most coffee imported by Europe comes as unroasted green beans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eradicate" when you want to emphasize the complete and permanent removal of something, such as a disease, problem, or undesirable element. Ensure the context aligns with the forceful and decisive nature of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "eradicate" in situations where a less forceful word like "remove" or "eliminate" would be more appropriate. "Eradicate" implies a significant and often systemic effort, so reserve it for situations that warrant such emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eradicate" is that of a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being completely destroyed or removed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term adheres to standard grammar rules and is widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eradicate" is a transitive verb used to convey the complete and permanent removal of something, often a problem or undesirable element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted. Its usage is common across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. While alternatives exist, "eradicate" is particularly suitable when emphasizing thoroughness and finality. When writing, it is best practice to use "eradicate" when you wish to emphasize the complete and permanent nature of the removal, and the most common error to avoid is overuse in less serious contexts where a less forceful word would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate completely

This alternative is less forceful and more general than "eradicate".

wipe out entirely

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes complete destruction.

completely destroy

This alternative is a more direct and less nuanced way of expressing the same concept.

root out entirely

This alternative emphasizes the process of finding and removing something undesirable.

get rid of completely

This alternative is more informal and conversational.

abolish totally

This alternative is best suited when referring to laws or systems.

annihilate without remainder

This alternative is more dramatic and intense.

exterminate fully

This alternative often implies the killing of living beings.

extinguish completely

This alternative is often used when referring to ideas or feelings.

remove without trace

This alternative emphasizes the completeness of the removal.

FAQs

How can I use "eradicate" in a sentence?

"Eradicate" is a verb that means to destroy completely or put an end to something. For example: "The goal is to "eradicate" poverty by the end of the decade."

What are some alternatives to "eradicate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eliminate completely", "wipe out entirely", or "completely destroy".

When is it appropriate to use "eradicate" instead of "eliminate"?

"Eradicate" suggests a more thorough and forceful removal than "eliminate". Use "eradicate" when you want to emphasize the complete and permanent destruction of something, as opposed to simply removing it.

Is "eradicate" a formal or informal word?

"Eradicate" is generally considered a formal word. While it can be used in various contexts, it is often found in more formal writing and speech due to its strong and decisive connotation.