Annihilate

To annihilate is to destroy something completely, often obliterating it from existence. This encompasses physical destruction, rendering something ineffective or nullifying it, and can extend to the figurative destruction of an opponent or a rival. Annihilation implies a finality, leaving no trace or remaining element. The word carries connotations of thoroughness and often, violence or force. It suggests the utter eradication of something, removing any chance of recovery or rebuilding. The focus lies on complete and utter elimination, regardless of what is being annihilated: an object, a person, or an abstract concept. The result is the complete absence of whatever was annihilated, the complete ending of existence for the thing being acted upon.

Annihilate meaning with examples

• The invading army planned to annihilate the city, razing all buildings and eliminating all resistance. Their intention was not merely conquest, but total destruction, leaving no possibility for the city to remain. The commander demanded the complete annihilation of the enemy.
• The intense heat from the supernova was powerful enough to annihilate entire planets, vaporizing them into space dust. Scientists studying the event observed the complete annihilation of several celestial bodies.
• The new drug designed to fight cancer aimed to annihilate the cancerous cells, stopping the spread and removing the threat. The treatment strategy focused on destroying the threat to improve the patient's outcome.
• The lawyer's brilliant cross-examination sought to annihilate the witness's credibility, revealing inconsistencies and undermining his testimony. Her goal was to completely destroy the reliability of the witness.