Annihilating: meaning, definitions and examples

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annihilating

 

[ əˈnaɪəˌleɪtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

destructive action

To annihilate means to completely destroy or obliterate something. This term often implies total destruction, leaving nothing behind. It can be used in various contexts, including military actions, scientific discussions, and metaphorical uses in literature.

Synonyms

destroy, eradicate, exterminate, obliterate

Examples of usage

  • The bomb annihilated the entire city.
  • His arguments were so compelling that they nearly annihilated her doubts.
  • The virus is capable of annihilating entire populations.
  • The superhero's power can annihilate evil foes in an instant.

Translations

Translations of the word "annihilating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aniquilador

🇮🇳 नाश करना

🇩🇪 auslöschend

🇮🇩 melenyapkan

🇺🇦 анулюючий

🇵🇱 anihalujący

🇯🇵 消滅させる

🇫🇷 anéantissant

🇪🇸 aniquilador

🇹🇷 yok eden

🇰🇷 전멸시키는

🇸🇦 إبادة

🇨🇿 zničující

🇸🇰 zničujúci

🇨🇳 消灭的

🇸🇮 uničevalni

🇮🇸 eyðandi

🇰🇿 жойғыш

🇬🇪 ანადგურებელი

🇦🇿 məhv edən

🇲🇽 aniquilador

Word origin

The term 'annihilate' originates from the Latin word 'annihilare', which combines the prefix 'ad-' (meaning 'to') with 'nihil' (meaning 'nothing'). Therefore, etymologically, it means 'to bring to nothing'. The transition of this term into English started during the early modern period, becoming more widely used in the context of scientific discourse and military strategy. The connotation of complete destruction has often aligned with various cultural narratives, especially in literature and film, leading to a broader understanding of the term across different contexts. Over time, 'annihilate' has also found its niche in colloquial usage, often humorously or hyperbolically, extending beyond its rigorous definitions. Today, it's commonly used in fields like physics and politics to describe absolute outcomes.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,181, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.