Spanish word

exterminio

Pronunciation

IPA/eksteɾˈminjo/

Meaning

  • masculine nouneradication

Example

Queremos el exterminio de la enfermedad.

We want the eradication of the disease.

Illustration for exterminio (eradication)

More examples

Llamaron al servicio de exterminio por las cucarachas.

They called the pest control service because of the cockroaches.

Core concept

Total, irreversible removal.

Common phrases

  • servicio de exterminio

    pest control service

  • exterminio de cucarachas

    extermination of cockroaches

Similar words

erradicación: Removal of the underlying source of a disease or infestation to ensure it does not recur.
eliminación: Clearing out an unwanted item, obstacle, or element from a location or system.
aniquilación: Complete obliteration that eliminates something's existence entirely.
destrucción: Physical damage or demolition of objects or structures that ends their function.

Definition in Spanish

Expresa la eliminación total y definitiva de algo, usado a menudo en contextos de plagas, enfermedades o violencia.

Word origin

Derives from Latin exterminare (ex- 'out' + terminus 'boundary'), originally 'drive beyond the boundary' and now meaning complete destruction.

Usage tips

  • Typically used for pests, diseases, or infestations, and when applied to people it implies extreme mass violence.

Other meanings

  • annihilationnoun
  • extinctionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word