Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the given sentence.

These types of insects are usually very difficult to eradicate.

conserve

The most appropriate antonym of the underlined word eradicate in the given sentence is conserve.

• Eradicate means "to destroy completely; to root out."
• Conserve means "to protect or preserve something from loss or damage."

The other words do not have the same meaning as eradicate, so they are not its antonyms.

• Annihilate means "to destroy completely; to wipe out."
• Devastate means "to cause great destruction or damage to something."