Extirpate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extirpated(); p. pr. & vb. n. Extirpating().]
Etymology: [L. extirpatus, exstirpatus, p. p. of extirpare, exstirpare; ex out + strips stock, stem, root.]
To pluck up by the stem or root; to root out; to eradicate, literally or figuratively; to destroy wholly; as, to extirpate weeds; to extirpate a tumor; to extirpate a sect; to extirpate error or heresy.
Syn. -- To eradicate; root out; destroy; exterminate; annihilate; extinguish.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for extirpate; he lists it under abolish, exterminate.
Where he writes about it:
To extirpate (L. ex, out, and stirps, stem, stock) is not only to destroy the individuals of any race of plants or animals, but the very stock, so that the race can never be restored; we speak of eradicating a disease, of extirpating a cancer, exterminating wild beasts or hostile tribes; we seek to eradicate or extirpate all vices and evils. — from exterminate