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exterminator

exterminator

42 4.2
A person who removes unwanted insects or small animals from homes and buildings
  • noun
  • /ɪkˈstɜːrmɪneɪtər/
translation icon : exterminador
  • We need to hire an exterminator to deal with the rats in our attic.
  • call an exterminator
  • pest exterminator
  • sprayed by exterminators

Examples

  • This is John Burwell, part-time crow exterminator.

  • Tomorrow, l'm gonna call the exterminator.

  • We'll call the exterminator tomorrow and we'll take care of the problem.

  • What exactly should the exterminator do when he or she gets to your apartment?

    Blog text (3)
  • Will the situation get worse if the exterminator comes 15 or 16 days after the previous treatment?

    Blog text (3)
  • This is exactly why I called the exterminator.

  • At what point is it recommended to have the exterminator treat other areas of the apartment?

    Blog text (3)
  • Two hours later, the exterminator came up absolutely empty.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • All we got to do is call an exterminator.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The licensing of extermination businesses, exterminators, vendors, and other pesticide handlers is also required under the Act.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

terminator
vsexterminator
29 6.8

A person who gets rid of pests like rats and insects in buildings

names the general removal job rather than a branded or dramatic title
eliminator
vsexterminator
4 5.7

A person or thing that removes something unwanted, for example pests and water

refers to a professional who removes unwanted animals and insects specifically
ratcatcher
vsexterminator
  • Archaic
1 6.0

A person who catches and removes rats from houses and streets

focuses on all unwanted animals and insects, not only a single species
eradicator
vsexterminator
1 8.5

A person who removes pests like rats and insects from buildings

is the ordinary job title for removing unwanted animals and insects
fumigator
vsexterminator
1 7.5

A person who uses gas to kill bugs or germs in buildings

uses various methods in general pest removal not only fumes
disinfestation officer
vsexterminator
  • Specialized
9.5

A person who removes pests like rats or insects using sprays and traps

is the general pest removal role without official or procedural emphasis
spiderhunter
vsexterminator
8.8

A person who removes spiders from houses and buildings

covers general pest removal rather than targeting one creature type

Antonyms

129 2.8

A person who defends and cares for another person or thing

How Skilled

exterminator
42 4.2
amateur
122 2.8

Surface Forms

exterminator singular
exterminators plural

Morphology

exterminator = exterminate (transparent) = exterminate + or

The agentive noun is formed by the regular addition of -or to the verb 'exterminate', so knowing 'exterminate' makes the meaning clear.

Etymology

Exterminator comes from Latin parts ex- 'out' and terminare 'to put beyond a limit', with the ending -ator showing a person who does something. So an exterminator is literally a person who 'puts pests out' or 'ends' them, which fits someone who removes insects or rodents from a home.