ENGLISH
REFERENCE

exterminate

v.
C1 Advanced US //ɪkˈstɝməˌneɪt// UK //ɛkstˈɜːmɪnˌeɪt// ex·ter·mi·nate

v. to kill all the members of a group of animals or insects. It is a strong word often used when talking about getting rid of pests or, in history, about killing a whole group of people.

v. to destroy or kill all members of a species or group. Often carries a strong connotation of total annihilation, frequently used in biological contexts regarding pest control or in historical contexts regarding genocide.


SIMPLE

The farmer used a special spray to exterminate the locusts.

CONTEXTUAL

The government launched a campaign to exterminate the invasive species that were destroying the local crops.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin exterminātus, perfect passive participle of exterminō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ex- (“thoroughly”) + terminō (“to finish, close, end”), from terminus (“limit, end”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).

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