Spanish word

erradicar

Pronunciation

IPA/eraðiˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verberadicate

Example

Queremos erradicar la pobreza.

We want to eradicate poverty.

Illustration for erradicar (eradicate)

More examples

No podemos erradicar los malos hábitos de la noche a la mañana.

We cannot eradicate bad habits overnight.

Core concept

Pulling a weed up by its roots.

Common phrases

  • erradicar los malos hábitos

    eradicate bad habits

  • erradicar una enfermedad

    eradicate a disease

Similar words

eliminar: Takes away or eliminates something that is unwanted or unnecessary.
acabar con: Puts a stop to a condition or problem by bringing it to an end.
suprimir: Deletes or omits a section, line, or element so it is removed.
abolir: Officially abolishes a law, policy, or institution by ending it.

Definition in Spanish

Quitar o eliminar algo completamente, especialmente un problema, una enfermedad o una costumbre, de modo que no vuelva a aparecer.

Word origin

From Latin eradicare (ex- "out" + radix "root"), literally to pull up by the roots and so to remove something completely.

Usage tips

  • A strong, formal verb often used in public policy and medicine to mean removing the root cause, so for everyday or small removals Spanish speakers use eliminar or quitar.

Opposites

Related words

  • erradicacióneradicationnoun
  • erradicadoeradicatedadjective

Word lists with this word