Annihilate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฅ
annihilate
[ษหnสษชษชหleษชt ]
Definitions
in war
Completely destroy or defeat someone or something.
Synonyms
destroy, exterminate, obliterate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| annihilate |
Use this word in extreme situations where something is completely wiped out or defeated, often in a dramatic or catastrophic way.
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| destroy |
Suitable for general situations where something is damaged beyond repair or made unusable.
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| exterminate |
This word is best used when referring to the complete killing of pests, animals, or organisms. It often carries a negative connotation, especially when referring to humans.
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| obliterate |
Used in contexts where something is completely removed or erased, often with notions of violence or intensity.
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Examples of usage
- They were annihilated by the superior enemy forces.
- The city was annihilated during the bombing raids.
in science fiction
Erase from existence.
Synonyms
eradicate, exterminate, wipe out.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| annihilate |
Typically used in a military or combat context to signify complete destruction or defeat. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate a total and overwhelming defeat in other areas, such as sports.
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| eradicate |
Mostly used in the context of completely eliminating something harmful or undesirable, such as diseases, pests, or social issues.
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| wipe out |
Informally used to mean thoroughly destroying or eliminating something. Can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
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| exterminate |
Generally used for the complete and systematic destruction of a group, often with negative connotations. Commonly used regarding pests, insects, or groups of people in historical contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The time traveler's actions caused entire civilizations to be annihilated.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- In physics, annihilation refers to the process where matter and antimatter collide and completely convert into energy.
- This process is observed in particle physics, where an electron and its antiparticle, a positron, can annihilate each other.
- Annihilation events release a significant amount of energy, often in the form of gamma rays.
Literature
- The concept of annihilation appears in dystopian literature, often symbolizing the erasure of identity or culture.
- In literature, characters often face annihilation through warfare, loss of relationships, or existential crises.
- Famous works, like 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy, explore themes of annihilation through apocalyptic settings.
Pop Culture
- In movies, annihilation is often portrayed in science fiction, where advanced technology can wipe out entire civilizations.
- The film 'Annihilation' (2018) explores themes of self-destruction and transformation, echoing the word's meaning.
- Video games frequently use the term in their narratives, where characters face total destruction through combat scenarios.
Philosophy
- Philosophers ponder the concept of annihilation in discussions about existence, non-existence, and the nature of reality.
- Existential thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre discuss the fear of annihilation as part of the human condition.
- Annihilation raises questions about whether something that has been destroyed can ever truly come back.
Origin of 'annihilate'
Main points about word origin
- 'Annihilate' comes from the Latin word 'annihilare,' which means 'to reduce to nothing.'
- The root 'nihil' in Latin means 'nothing,' which captures the essence of complete destruction.
- The term was first recorded in English in the early 17th century.
The word 'annihilate' comes from the Latin word 'annihilare', which means 'to reduce to nothing'. The term has been used since the 16th century to describe the complete destruction or defeat of something or someone. Over the years, 'annihilate' has been commonly used in the context of war, science fiction, and extreme situations where total elimination is necessary.