exterminate

USAGE SUMMARY

"exterminate" is a correct word in written English.
It can be used to mean "eliminate or destroy completely" and is usually used in the context of getting rid of pests, such as insects or rodents. For example, "The exterminator performed a thorough inspection of the house to determine where to exterminate the mice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Running With Mother tells the story of 14-year-old Rudo whose schoolgirl life is irrevocably altered by the arrival of forces to her community to exterminate villagers who are said to be Ndebele dissidents – in effect, anyone and everyone who is Ndebele.

The Guardian

St Peter Martyr was an inquisitor whose job was to exterminate the Cathar heresy in southern France in the 13th century.

The Guardian - Arts

The Dutch managed to exterminate the poor dodo, but they did create the fascinating cultural blend that exists today.

The Guardian - Travel

But humans did exterminate lots of herbivores that such cats would have preyed on.

The Economist

Hillary Clinton, America's secretary of state, said this week that the entire world was disappointed that in its efforts to end the war, it was causing "such untold suffering .In its rush to exterminate the Tigers partly in justified fear of their skill at manipulating foreign opinion the army has shown a cruel disregard for Tamil civilians crowding the battlefield.

The Economist

Seeing clearly Athlete's foot How to exterminate a dinosaur Reprints Related items Flexible display screens: Bend me, shape me, anyway you want meJan 22nd 2009Transistors are the workhorses of electronics.

The Economist

Before and during the 100-day slaughter, the government-backed media encouraged Hutus to exterminate their "sub-human" enemies, and published lists of names of those who should be killed.

The Economist

He may rig elections, goad his militia to torture dissidents and deny food aid to people suspected of supporting the opposition (see article), but he has not yet tried systematically to exterminate everyone he hates.Mr Mugabe does not resemble the Nazi leader in the way he would like to think he does, either.

The Economist

To repress this thing, we think, is providing for the general welfare".And he stands explicitly pledged to exterminate, so far as he can do so, the external Slave Trade, and on the coast of Cuba a co-operation of English and American cruisers will effect this.

The Economist

Regarding global omission, there is an urgent need for a more comprehensive programme of worldwide cooperation in eradicating illiteracy and untreated illnesses, which exterminate people's ability to help themselves and help others.

The Economist

Seeing clearly Athlete's foot How to exterminate a dinosaur ReprintsThey looked at seven university sprinters who specialise in the 100-metre dash and five 200-metre specialists, and compared them with 12 non-athletic university students of the same height.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exterminate" when you want to emphasize a complete and often forceful end to something, especially when dealing with pests, diseases, or ideologies. It conveys a sense of finality.

Common error

Avoid using "exterminate" in contexts where less intense words like "eliminate" or "remove" would suffice. "Exterminate" carries a strong connotation of destruction and is not suitable for minor issues.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exterminate" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of completely destroying or killing something, often a population or a pest. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "exterminate" functions as a transitive verb, denoting the act of completely destroying or eliminating something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in contexts related to news, media, and encyclopedias. While the phrase carries a connotation of finality and force, overuse in mild contexts should be avoided. Semantically related alternatives include "eradicate completely" and "wipe out entirely". In summary, "exterminate" should be reserved for scenarios where complete destruction or elimination is intended, keeping in mind the formal tone it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eradicate completely

Emphasizes the removal of something at its roots, ensuring it does not return.

wipe out entirely

Suggests a thorough and often sudden destruction of something.

completely annihilate

Indicates total destruction, leaving nothing remaining.

eliminate thoroughly

Focuses on the detailed and comprehensive removal of something.

destroy utterly

Implies a complete and irreversible devastation.

obliterate entirely

Suggests the removal of all traces of something.

extirpate entirely

A more formal term suggesting the uprooting and destruction of something.

remove definitively

Implies a conclusive and permanent removal.

abolish completely

Suggests the formal and total ending of a practice or system.

liquidate entirely

Suggests a swift and decisive removal, often in a business context.

FAQs

How do you use "exterminate" in a sentence?

"Exterminate" is typically used to describe the complete destruction of something, often a pest or a group of people. For example, "The goal was to "exterminate" the rat population" or "The Nazis tried to "exterminate" the Jews during the Holocaust."

What's the difference between "exterminate" and "eliminate"?

"Exterminate" implies complete destruction and total removal, often through violent means. "Eliminate" is a broader term that can refer to removing something, but not necessarily by destroying it completely.

What can I say instead of "exterminate"?

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

Is "exterminate" a formal or informal word?

"Exterminate" is a relatively formal word, but its strong connotations of destruction make it suitable for serious contexts. In less critical contexts, alternatives like "remove definitively" might be more appropriate.