English dictionary

exterminate Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the past tense of exterminate?

The past tense of exterminate is exterminated. The present participle is exterminating.

/ɛkˈstəː.mɪ.neɪt/

What Does Exterminate Mean?

As a verb, exterminate means To kill or otherwise permanently eliminate all of (a population, often of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally. It can also mean To bring a definite end to; to finish completely.

Quick Facts About Exterminate

Part of speech	verb
Pronunciation	//ɛkˈstəː.mɪ.neɪt//
Syllables	1
Synonyms	eradicate, extirpate and uproot
Verb forms	exterminates, exterminating, exterminated

Exterminate Definition (Verb)

To kill or otherwise permanently eliminate all of (a population, often of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally.
We'll use poison to exterminate the rats.
To bring a definite end to; to finish completely.
The public school failed to exterminate truancy.

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.

Synonyms of Exterminate

eradicate extirpate uproot kill off annihilate exterminestamp out

Exterminate synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Exterminate

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Exterminate in a Sentence

We'll use poison to exterminate the rats.

The public school failed to exterminate truancy.

Word Forms & Grammar

exterminate (third-person singular simple present exterminates, present participle exterminating, simple past and past participle exterminated)

Origin of Exterminate

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).

How Do You Say Exterminate?

Exterminate is pronounced //ɛkˈstəː.mɪ.neɪt// and has 1 syllable.

Common Questions About Exterminate

What part of speech is exterminate?

Exterminate is a verb.

What is another word for exterminate?

Close synonyms of exterminate are eradicate, extirpate and uproot. See the full list of exterminate synonyms and antonyms.

What is the past tense of exterminate?

The past tense of exterminate is exterminated. The present participle is exterminating.