annihilate
verb
an·ni·hi·late
ə-ˈnī-ə-ˌlāt 
annihilated; annihilating
1
a
: to cause to cease to exist : to do away with entirely so that nothing remains
b
: to destroy a considerable part of
Bombs annihilated the city.
The enemy troops were annihilated.
c
: to defeat overwhelmingly : rout
annihilated the visitors 56–0
2
a
: to cause to be of no effect : nullify
a right to freedom that cannot be annihilated
b
: to destroy the substance or force of
Fear can annihilate one's confidence.
3
: to regard as of no consequence
4
: to cause (something, such as a particle and its antiparticle) to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)
matter and antimatter annihilate each other
of a particle and its antiparticle
: to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)
Examples of annihilate in a Sentence
The enemy troops were annihilated.
He annihilated his opponent in the last election.
Recent Examples on the Web
The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost. Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The artist and rapper has been annihilating each show she’s been attending and her lineup is stacked.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
They were also annihilated by Rohit Sharma’s team during the 2023 World Cup.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Hell with thrive — can you just not be annihilated?
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
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Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The artist and rapper has been annihilating each show she’s been attending and her lineup is stacked.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
They were also annihilated by Rohit Sharma’s team during the 2023 World Cup.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Hell with thrive — can you just not be annihilated?
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Cite this Entry
“Annihilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annihilate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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