extirpation
extirpation — noun
- extirpationsingular
- extirpationsplural
1. the complete removal or destruction of something undesirable, especially somethi
the complete removal or destruction of something undesirable, especially something that has existed for a long time, leaving no trace behind.
The extirpation of polio from most countries took decades of vaccination work.
the extirpation of [disease]
Conservationists warned that the extirpation of wolves would damage the forest ecosystem.
the extirpation of [animal/group]
Farmers demanded the extirpation of the invasive weed before it ruined the rice fields.
Smallpox remains the only human disease whose complete extirpation has been achieved.
The new law called for the extirpation of bribery from the customs office.
- eradication
similar meaning of wiping out, but less absolute; eradication can mean reducing to zero cases, while extirpation suggests destroying every trace
- elimination
more general and less formal; can mean simply removing from a situation rather than total destruction
- annihilation
even stronger, suggesting violent or complete physical destruction; more emotional tone
- uprooting
more literal, suggesting pulling out from the foundation
- preservation
keeping something safe rather than destroying it
- establishment
the act of setting something up, the opposite of destroying it
文法句型
the extirpation of [something]
用法筆記
Commonly used with of + a noun phrase naming what is removed. Subject is often a disease, invasive species, crime, or unwanted practice. Stronger and more absolute than eradication.
常見錯誤
extirpation — verb
- extirpationpresent simple I / you / we / they
- extirpations3rd person singular
- extirpationing-ing form
- extirpationedpast simple
1. to destroy something totally, so that it no longer exists anywhere — used especi
to destroy something totally, so that it no longer exists anywhere — used especially for diseases, beliefs, or political opposition that someone wants to remove permanently.
The new government promised to extirpate corruption from every government office.
extirpate [crime/problem] from [institution]
Doctors believe they can extirpate the virus from the population within a decade.
Minh's ancestors tried to extirpate the old religion, but the traditions survived.
The organization works to extirpate child labour from the textile industry worldwide.
It took three generations to extirpate the practice of forced marriage from the region.
- eradicate
similar but slightly less absolute; eradicate is more common in medical and public-health contexts
- annihilate
more violent, often physical destruction; stronger emotional charge
- exterminate
usually used for living things (pests, people); has dark historical associations
- wipe out
more informal and conversational; less weighty than extirpate
文法句型
extirpate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Object is typically an abstract or systemic problem (corruption, a disease, a belief, a practice). The verb carries a strong sense of permanent, thorough removal. Not used for everyday cleaning or minor tasks.
常見錯誤
2. to pull a plant out of the ground together with all of its roots, so that it can
to pull a plant out of the ground together with all of its roots, so that it can no longer grow back.
Lukas spent the morning trying to extirpate the thistles from his vegetable patch.
extirpate + weed/plant from [location]
The gardener showed Tamar how to extirpate the bamboo by digging deep around the roots.
Kudzu vines had overrun the reserve, so volunteers spent the weekend extirpating them.
Esme hired a specialist to extirpate the poison ivy that had spread across the yard.
文法句型
extirpate + plant / weed / tree
用法筆記
This literal sense is rarer than the figurative sense (DESTROY COMPLETELY). In everyday gardening, pull out or dig up are far more common. Extirpate suggests the extra effort of removing the entire root system.
常見錯誤
3. to remove a diseased organ, growth, or piece of tissue from the body by cutting
to remove a diseased organ, growth, or piece of tissue from the body by cutting it out during a medical operation.
Surgeons had to extirpate the tumour before it spread to other organs.
extirpate + tumour / growth / organ
The doctor explained that they would need to extirpate the infected kidney.
After the biopsy, the medical team decided to extirpate the entire cyst from Ife's liver.
The patient chose to have the benign growth extirpated rather than risk future problems.
Veterinary surgeons successfully extirpated the damaged section of the horse's intestine.
- implant
to insert something into the body, the opposite of removing
- transplant
moving an organ into the body rather than taking it out
文法句型
extirpate + body part / organ / growth
用法筆記
In modern medical contexts, remove, excise, or resect are far more common than extirpate. Extirpate appears mostly in historical medical writing or when emphasising the thoroughness of the removal.