verb
eradicate
ih-RAD-ih-kayt
verb
1
To destroy or get rid of something completely, especially a disease or problem.
"Vaccination campaigns helped eradicate smallpox worldwide."
"The council launched a plan to eradicate homelessness in the city."
How to Use Eradicate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wipe something out entirely, down to the root, so it doesn't come back.
Common pairings
eradicate poverty
eradicate disease
completely eradicate
Word Forms
eradicated past tense, eradicates singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “eradicate”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Vaccination campaigns helped _____ smallpox worldwide.
Etymology
From Latin eradicare, "to root out," from e- ("out") + radix ("root") — the same root as "radish."