Meaning & use
eradicable
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparableformal
possible to remove or destroy completely.
Grammar: Not usually used in the comparative or superlative; you would not normally say 'more eradicable'.
Patterns
- eradicable disease
- eradicable problem
- completely eradicable
With the new vaccine, the disease is now considered eradicable.
The report argued that corruption is not easily eradicable in the short term.
Scientists are working to make the pest eradicable from the region.
Common combinations
- eradicable disease
- Polio is an eradicable disease thanks to widespread vaccination.
- eradicable problem
- Poverty is not an easily eradicable problem.
- completely eradicable
- The weed is completely eradicable with the right herbicide.
Synonyms and how they differ
- removable
- Removable means able to be taken away or off; eradicable is stronger, suggesting complete destruction or elimination.
- eliminable
- Eliminable means able to be got rid of; eradicable often implies a more thorough, root-and-branch removal.
Opposites
Word family
- eradicate verb
- To remove or destroy something completely.
- eradication noun
- The act of completely removing or destroying something.
Commonly confused: eradicable or eradicate?
eradicable vs eradicate
Eradicate is the verb meaning 'to remove completely'; eradicable is the adjective meaning 'able to be removed completely'. Do not use the adjective where a verb is needed.
Practice
Many experts believe that malaria is ___ with the right combination of tools.
Choose one answer.
'Eradicable' is the adjective meaning 'able to be completely removed', which fits after 'is'. 'Eradicate' is a verb and cannot follow 'is' in this way without 'to' or '-ing'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “eradicable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.