1. the complete destruction or elimination of something, especially a group of people, animals, or pests

Examples

• The extermination of the invasive species took several years.
• Pest control companies specialize in the extermination of insects and rodents.
• The extermination of smallpox was one of medicine’s greatest achievements.
• They called for the complete extermination of the harmful bacteria.
• The extermination program targeted mosquitoes carrying the disease.
• Historical records document the attempted extermination of various populations.