extirpate Definition
- 1to remove or destroy completely
- 2to pull up by the roots
- 3to cut out by surgery
Using extirpate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "extirpate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The government is trying to extirpate corruption from the system.
Example
The invasive species needs to be extirpated from the ecosystem.
Example
The tumor was extirpated successfully by the surgeon.
Example
The weeds were extirpated from the garden.
extirpate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for extirpate
- eradicate
- eliminate
- annihilate
- obliterate
- exterminate
Idioms Using extirpate
Example
The new CEO promised to extirpate corruption root and branch.
pull up stakes
to leave a place or situation suddenly or quickly
Example
After the divorce, she decided to pull up stakes and move to a new city.
Example
The surgeon had to cut out the tumor to prevent it from spreading.
Phrases with extirpate
Example
The colonial powers tried to extirpate the indigenous cultures of the Americas.
Example
The government's policies led to the extirpation of several minority languages.
Example
The modernization of society has led to the extirpation of many traditional practices.
Origins of extirpate
from Latin 'extirpatus', meaning 'rooted out'
Summary: extirpate in Brief
The verb 'extirpate' [ek-ster-peyt] means to remove or destroy completely, often by pulling up by the roots or cutting out by surgery. It can refer to anything from corruption to invasive species, as in 'The government is trying to extirpate corruption from the system.' 'Extirpate' can also be used in phrases like 'extirpate a culture,' meaning to destroy a culture completely, and idioms like 'root and branch,' meaning completely or thoroughly.