extirpation

C2 Topic:Cause, Change & Process

US /ˌɛkstɚˈpeɪʃən/ UK /ˌekstəˈpeɪʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #279122

Meanings

1

noun
the complete destruction or removal of something harmful or unwanted

The reformers called for the extirpation of corruption from public office.
2

noun
the disappearance of a species from a particular region while it survives elsewhere

Intensive hunting led to the wolf's extirpation from the area.
3

noun
surgical removal of an organ, growth, or other tissue

The surgeon recommended complete extirpation of the tumor.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the complete destruction or... eradication elimination uprooting

2 noun · the disappearance of a... local extinctioneradication

3 noun · surgical removal of an... excisionablationremoval

Opposites

preservation propagation

Word family

Related forms extirpateextirpatoreradicate exterminate

Etymology

From Latin exstirpatio ("uprooting"), from exstirpare, combining ex- ("out") with stirps ("root, stock, trunk"). The literal image of pulling out roots developed into senses of total removal, local extinction, and surgical excision.

Topics

Cause, Change & Process

External links

# extirpation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌɛkstɚˈpeɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌekstəˈpeɪʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 279122

## Meanings
1. the complete destruction or removal of something harmful or unwanted
2. the disappearance of a species from a particular region while it survives elsewhere
3. surgical removal of an organ, growth, or other tissue

## Examples
- The reformers called for the extirpation of corruption from public office.
- Intensive hunting led to the wolf's extirpation from the area.
- The surgeon recommended complete extirpation of the tumor.

## Synonyms
- eradication
- elimination
- uprooting
- excision
- ablation

## Antonyms
- preservation
- propagation

## Related Forms
- extirpate
- extirpator
- eradicate
- exterminate

## Etymology
From Latin exstirpatio ("uprooting"), from exstirpare, combining ex- ("out") with stirps ("root, stock, trunk"). The literal image of pulling out roots developed into senses of total removal, local extinction, and surgical excision.

## Topics
- Cause, Change & Process

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