Choose the antonym of the word- Eradicate from the given options:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Restore
- Eradicate means to destroy or remove something completely, so that nothing of it remains. It comes from the Latin e- (out) + radix (root): to pull out by the roots.
Example: Vaccination helped to eradicate smallpox. - Restore means to bring something back or return it to its earlier state. Removing something completely and bringing it back are opposites, so restore is the antonym among the options.
Example: The engineers will restore the electricity by evening.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Perish — Incorrect. Perish means to die or be destroyed; it is close in result to eradicate, not opposite.
Example: Many plants perish in heavy frost.
Option 3: Smother — Incorrect. Smother means to suffocate, or to put out a fire by covering it; it also points towards destroying, not bringing back.
Example: She smothered the flames with a blanket.
Option 4: Discontinue — Incorrect. Discontinue means to stop doing or providing something; it points the same way as eradicate.
Example: The company discontinued the old model.
| Synonyms (Eradicate) | Antonyms (Eradicate) |
|---|---|
| eliminate | restore |
| abolish | establish |
| uproot | implant |
| wipe out | preserve |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eradicate | – | – | – | 09-06 S3 21-06 S1 | – |
| smother | – | 20-05 S1 | – | – | – |