exterminate
/ɛks.tɜːrˈmeɪt/ · ex.ter.mi.nate
verb
- To kill all of (a population of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally. We'll use poison to exterminate the rats.
- To bring a definite end to; finish completely. The public school failed to exterminate truancy.
transitive verb
- To destroy or kill (something) completely. The disease was exterminated by the new medicine.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'exterminate' has been used in various contexts, including science fiction, where it often refers to the elimination of alien species or threats to humanity.