exterminate
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for exterminate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To destroy or kill off completely, especially a group of pests or people.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use exterminate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
exterminate pests
exterminate vermin
A strong word — used for pests, or, in a more disturbing sense, for genocide; not used casually.
Etymology
From Latin exterminare, "to drive out" or "destroy", from ex- ("thoroughly") plus terminus ("boundary, end").
Full origin of exterminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “exterminate” mean?
The word “exterminate” means to destroy or kill off completely, especially a group of pests or people. In plain terms, to kill off or wipe out completely, usually a pest or population.
How do you pronounce “exterminate”?
“Exterminate” is pronounced ehk-STUH-mih-nayt (/ɪkˈstɝ.mɪ.neɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exterminate” in a sentence?
Here is “exterminate” used in a sentence: “The company was hired to exterminate the rats in the basement.”
What part of speech is “exterminate”?
“Exterminate” is a verb.
Where does the word “exterminate” come from?
The word “exterminate” comes from Latin. From Latin exterminare, "to drive out" or "destroy", from ex- ("thoroughly") plus terminus ("boundary, end").
