exterminated

Everyday

1. Exterminated means killed completely, so that a whole group of animals, insects or pests is destroyed. tree →
2. In history, it can describe the mass killing of a group of people, which is one of the worst crimes. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, pests like rats, cockroaches or termites are exterminated by pest-control workers (exterminators). In history lessons, the word is used about the Holocaust and other genocides, when the Nazis tried to exterminate the Jews of Europe; it should be used seriously and respectfully. In science fiction, the Daleks in «Doctor Who» famously shout «Exterminate!». Phrases: «exterminated pests», «completely exterminated».

Examples

• The termites in the shed were exterminated. tree →
• The dodo was hunted until it was exterminated. tree →
• Millions of people were exterminated in the Holocaust. tree →
• Wolves were exterminated from Britain hundreds of years ago. tree →
• The council exterminated the rats near the bins. tree →
• In the film, the robots wanted every human exterminated. tree →
• If you do not do this I will land all my cats upon your island, and you shall be exterminated.” tree →

Note

Serious word; when speaking about people, use it only for real historical facts. Noun: extermination; person: exterminator. Similar: wipe out, destroy, eradicate.