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Definition of exterminate

exterminate

/ɪkˈstɝː.mə.neɪt/
ex · ter · mi · nate
Adjective:exterminatory
•
Past Simple:exterminated
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Past Participle:exterminated
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Present Participle:exterminating
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exterminate Lexical Profile

exterminate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To destroy or kill completely, especially a population of pests, animals, or people.

Example

"The property manager hired a specialist to exterminate the termites before they could damage the wooden beams."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for exterminate

• Nearby Words

extent
extenuating
exterior
exterminate
extermination
exterminator
exterminatrix

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin 'exterminatus', the past participle of 'exterminare', meaning 'to drive out or banish beyond the boundaries' (from 'ex-', meaning 'out of', and 'terminus', meaning 'boundary').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Exterminate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/exterminate
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