MEANING
The process of getting rid of something unwanted completely, rather than merely reducing it.
Use it for
distinguishing elimination from partial reduction; evaluating claims that a problem has been removed; setting a clear endpoint for a policy objectiveMarks complete removal, a stronger outcome than reduction, management or containment. Academic functions: Change / Pattern / Trend.
Words that belong together
- eradication of poverty
- complete eradication
- eradication of a harmful practice
On the page
The policy’s stated aim was eradication of extreme poverty rather than a small reduction in its rate.
Evidence of fewer incidents does not establish eradication of the practice.
Nearby words
Word forms
- Base
- eradication
Usage notes
Normally uncountable. Use eradication of + problem, or eradication from + domain. Register: formal. Commonness: moderately common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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