Exterminate

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Exterminate

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

ik-STUR-mih-nayt  /ɪkˈstɜːmɪneɪt/

Definition

To destroy completely, especially a whole group of animals, people, or plants; to put an end to something by destroying it utterly.

Plain meaning

To wipe out completely — to destroy every last member of a group so that nothing remains.

Register

Formal and serious. In biological contexts, neutral. In historical and political contexts, carries the full weight of atrocity.