Erase — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /i-ˈrās/

Meaning & Definition of Erase

Erase (verb)

  1. to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters)
  2. to remove written or drawn marks from
  3. to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium (such as magnetic tape); also, to remove recorded matter from

Erase (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to destroy all traces of

    "an effort to save the species from being erased from this earth"

    similar: abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out
    related: decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish, kill, kill off, terminate, zap, cut, discard, ditch, eject, excise, expel, jettison, oust, throw out
    near: conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Erase

The most common words with a similar meaning to Erase:

abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out

Related Words for Erase

decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish

Near Antonyms of Erase

conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Word Forms of Erase

Inflections: erased, erasing, erases

Derived words: erasability (noun), erasable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Erase

Latin erasus, past participle of eradere, from e- + radere to scratch, scrape rodent

First known use: 1605t

Words & Phrases Containing Erase

dry-erase board

Frequently Asked Questions about Erase

What does "Erase" mean?

"Erase" means to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters). As a verb, it is defined as: to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters).

What is another word for "Erase"?

Other words for "Erase" include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface and eradicate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Erase" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Erase"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Erase". Common alternatives include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, expunge and exterminate.

How do you use "Erase" in a sentence?

Examples of "Erase" in a sentence: "an effort to save the species from being erased from this earth".

Is "Erase" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Erase" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Erase"?

"Erase" is pronounced /i-ˈrās/.

What is the origin of the word "Erase"?

"Erase" comes from Latin erasus, past participle of eradere, from e- + radere to scratch, scrape rodent. First known use: 1605t.

What is another word for "Erase" meaning "to destroy all traces of"?

When "Erase" (verb) means to destroy all traces of, synonyms include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel and clean (up).