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to stamp out

to stamp out

13 4.2
To stop something completely using strong action
  • phrasal verb
  • /stæmp aʊt/
translation icon : erradicar
  • There were forces trying to stamp out such private schools.
  • trying to stamp out
  • stamp out corruption in government

So some would say that we've got sort of a job half done and that we still need to stamp out inflation.

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Examples

  • Everyman's mission is to stamp out testicular and prostate cancer.

    Academic text (2010)
  • We must work together to stamp out corruption in our government.

  • First, we stamp out the Evil Spirits.

  • The harder you try to stamp out an ideology the stronger it becomes.

  • So some would say that we've got sort of a job half done and that we still need to stamp out inflation.

  • If we can't stamp out literature in our own country, we can at least stop its being brought in.

  • A first aim of colonial governments was to stamp out warfare and fighting both within and between indigenous groups.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Michael Nevradakis: Most countries need to stamp out corruption, not just Greece.

    Blog text (13)
  • Also, the many other states which have made great strides to stamp out stupidity.

    Blog text (34)
  • Education, legislation, liberalization, and prosperity seem to be the best at stamping out extremism.

    Blog text (7)

Synonyms

to kill
vsto stamp out
682 2.8

Stop something from working or continuing

highlights ending by active strong action rather than neutral stopping
to eliminate
vsto stamp out
  • NSFW
502 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

implies doing this through strong, often forceful, measures
to wipe out
vsto stamp out
189 4.2

Destroy something so nothing is left

adds the idea of using forceful action to achieve that end
to suppress
vsto stamp out
176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

emphasizes stronger, more forceful action aimed at complete elimination
to eradicate
vsto stamp out
85 6.6

Remove something harmful completely, for example a disease or pest

focuses on ending things by strong forceful action
to put a stop to
vsto stamp out
62 3.0

To end something so it no longer happens

uses stronger, forceful action aimed at complete elimination
to exterminate
vsto stamp out
  • NSFW
60 6.9

To destroy something completely, often on purpose

is about ending things generally using strong force
to dispel
vsto stamp out
29 4.6

To make a feeling or idea go away

focuses more on forceful action rather than simply making things fade
to extinguish
vsto stamp out
21 5.5

End something completely, for example a custom or a debt

focuses on ending by forceful decisive action
to squelch
vsto stamp out
11 7.8

Completely stop protests or criticism

focuses more on using force to eliminate all parts of something
to clean out
vsto stamp out
  • Informal
10 3.6

Remove people completely from a place or group because they are unwanted

is wider, aiming to end the thing itself rather than clear a place
to snuff out
vsto stamp out
9 7.7

Put an end to something or to someone's life

highlights ending actions done with strong, direct force
to quash
vsto stamp out
  • Formal
8 8.1

Forcefully stop something like a protest or rumor

is similar but broader, focusing on forceful eradication rather than just authority
to sweep away
vsto stamp out
1 3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

stresses active force or authority to make that removal happen
to extirpate
vsto stamp out
  • Formal
1 9.9

To destroy something completely, including its root

uses direct force to end things rather than focusing on roots
to stamp down
vsto stamp out
6.5

Stop something by using force or strict rules

is about ending things decisively, often through vigorous action
to drive a stake through its heart
vsto stamp out
  • Informal
8.9

To end something completely so it cannot continue

is similar but stresses active use of force or strong measures

Antonyms

566 3.2

Help something grow and become more successful

How Complete

to annihilate
  • NSFW
63 7.5
to eradicate
85 6.6
to stamp out
13 4.2
to suppress
176 4.8
to contain
388 3.5
to discourage
257 3.5

Surface Forms

stamp out infinitive
stamped out past participle
stamping out present participle
stamps out third person singular

Morphology

stamp + out

The verb 'stamp' (to press down or crush) plus 'out' evokes a clear image of forcefully extinguishing or crushing something (as when you 'stamp out' a fire), so a B1 learner who knows both words could plausibly infer an 'eliminate by force' meaning in concrete contexts. However, its use for abstract targets (e.g., 'stamp out corruption') is a metaphorical extension and not fully predictable from the constituents, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Stamp out may come from the simple image of someone using their foot to stamp on a small fire or a cigarette to put it out. That strong picture explains why it now means 'to completely stop or get rid of' something, often by force.