撲滅

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 撲滅 (ぼくめつ) combines striking 撲 and extinguishing 滅 to denote eradication.
• Basic usage: It is used for sustained efforts against pests and fraud in a community.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Elimination rather than reduction
  • 撲滅する sets the strong goal of removing the harmful problem entirely, not merely lowering its frequency.