Definition

The act of completely getting rid of something, often in a destructive way, such as killing pests or eradicating a group.

Example

The extermination of invasive species is important for protecting native wildlife.

Conversation

Did you hear about the extermination of the pests in the old building?

Yeah, I heard it was a huge issue before they took action.

They really needed to do something; the place was infested!

Absolutely, it’s good they finally handled the extermination properly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Extermination → It is formed from "ex-" (meaning out of or from) and "terminare" (meaning to limit or end). The word "extermination" refers to the act of completely eliminating or putting an end to something, often used in the context of eradicating pests or unwanted entities.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ex-' meaning 'out of' and 'terminare' meaning 'to end' — this helps you remember that extermination means to completely put an end to something.

Visually Confused Words