1.
eradication; extermination; total destruction
Complete elimination of something down to the roots, leaving nothing behind. Often used for destroying a group, family line, or population entirely.
一族を根絶やしにする。
To wipe out an entire clan.
害虫を根絶やしにするのは難しい。
It is difficult to completely eradicate pests.
戦争で村は根絶やしにされ、生き残った者はほとんどいなかった。
The village was wiped out in the war, and hardly anyone survived.
A compound of 根 (root) and 絶やし (extinguishing, from 絶やす — to cut off). The image is of pulling up every root so nothing can grow back. A vivid, strong word implying total and merciless destruction.
USAGE:
Almost always used in the pattern ～を根絶やしにする (to wipe out ~). Carries a harsh, dramatic tone. Common in historical narratives, war contexts, and figurative usage about completely eliminating something.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 根絶やしにする — to eradicate, to wipe out
- 根絶やしにされる — to be wiped out
- 一族の根絶やし — extermination of a clan
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 根絶 — eradication (more formal, often for diseases or social problems)
- 全滅 — annihilation, total destruction (military/group destruction)
- 撲滅 — eradication, stamping out (of crime, disease)