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Obliteration: meaning, definitions and examples

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obliteration

 

[ əˌblɪtəˈreɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

destruction

The act of obliterating or the state of being obliterated; complete annihilation; utter extinction.

Synonyms

annihilation, destruction, extinction

Examples of usage

  • The obliteration of the city was caused by the atomic bomb.
  • The obliteration of evidence made it difficult to solve the crime.
Context #2 | Noun

removal

The act of removing all traces of something; wiping out, erasing, or destroying completely.

Synonyms

elimination, erasure, removal

Examples of usage

  • The obliteration of the graffiti from the wall was a priority for the city council.
  • The obliteration of his memory from her mind was a painful process.

Translations

Translations of the word "obliteration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aniquilação

🇮🇳 विनाश

🇩🇪 Auslöschung

🇮🇩 pemusnahan

🇺🇦 знищення

🇵🇱 unicestwienie

🇯🇵 抹消 (まっしょう)

🇫🇷 anéantissement

🇪🇸 aniquilación

🇹🇷 yok etme

🇰🇷 말살 (말살)

🇸🇦 إبادة

🇨🇿 vyhlazení

🇸🇰 zničenie

🇨🇳 毁灭 (huǐmiè)

🇸🇮 izbris

🇮🇸 afmá

🇰🇿 жою

🇬🇪 განადგურება

🇦🇿 məhv

🇲🇽 aniquilación

Etymology

The word 'obliteration' comes from the Latin word 'obliterare', which means 'to cause to disappear'. The term has been used in various contexts throughout history, often associated with acts of destruction or removal. It carries a sense of complete annihilation or extinction, emphasizing the thoroughness of the process. Over time, 'obliteration' has been used to describe the erasure of evidence, memories, or physical structures, highlighting the idea of total elimination.

See also: obliterate, obliterator.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,869, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.