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Obliteration Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ฅ
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obliteration

[ษ™หŒblษชtษ™หˆreษชสƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

destruction

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

Synonyms

annihilation, destruction, extinction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obliteration

Use 'obliteration' when referring to something being completely wiped out or erased without leaving any trace. It often implies a thorough, total elimination.

  • The ancient city faced complete obliteration in the massive earthquake.
  • Her memories of the place had undergone total obliteration over the years.
destruction

'Destruction' is a more general term that refers to the act of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired. It is often used in less extreme or total situations compared to 'obliteration' and 'annihilation'.

  • The hurricane caused widespread destruction across the region.
  • The war resulted in the destruction of many historic buildings.
annihilation

'Annihilation' is used to describe the complete destruction or defeat of something, typically in a more dramatic or forceful manner. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

  • The enemy troops faced total annihilation on the battlefield.
  • The fierce competition led to the company's financial annihilation.
extinction

'Extinction' is primarily used in the context of biology or species, referring to the end or dying out of an entire species or type. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the end of a custom or practice.

  • The extinction of the dinosaurs occurred millions of years ago.
  • Many languages are at risk of extinction due to globalization.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obliteration

Used when something is completely destroyed or wiped out, leaving no trace behind. Often used in dramatic or intense situations.

  • The bomb caused the obliteration of the entire city block
  • The disease led to the obliteration of entire species
removal

Used in everyday situations to refer to taking something away or getting rid of something. Neutral and versatile.

  • The removal of the old furniture made the room look bigger
  • She arranged for the removal of the tree stump from the garden
erasure

Used when something is removed or deleted, particularly in contexts involving writing, memory, or history. Often implies intentionality.

  • The erasure of his name from the records was suspicious
  • Digital erasure ensures that the data cannot be recovered
elimination

Used in more formal contexts to refer to the removal of something, often as part of a process or system. Can be used both for negative and neutral situations.

  • The elimination of waste is crucial for the environment
  • The competition will result in the elimination of the weakest players

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, obliteration often symbolizes complete transformation or the loss of identity, as seen in dystopian narratives.
  • Authors may use obliteration as a metaphor for war or personal trauma, representing how events can erase parts of one's life.

Psychology

  • Psychologically, obliteration relates to memory suppression, where painful memories may be consciously or unconsciously erased.
  • This concept can be linked to coping mechanisms, as individuals may seek to obliterate traumatic experiences from their minds.

Art

  • In art, obliteration can refer to the technique of covering or destroying the original image to create something entirely new, as seen in works by artists like Yayoi Kusama.
  • The act of obliteration in graffiti can symbolize protest, where a message is replaced or destroyed to evoke new social commentary.

Science

  • In scientific terms, obliteration may refer to the total destruction of cells or tissues during certain treatments, such as in cancer therapy.
  • Astronomers discuss obliteration when talking about celestial bodies being completely destroyed by collisions with other objects.

Origin of 'obliteration'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'obliteratio,' which means 'to erase' or 'to wipe away.'
  • It is formed from 'ob-' meaning 'against' and 'literare,' meaning 'to write,' reflecting its meaning of writing over so completely that nothing is left behind.

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.