obliterative

adjective

oblit·​er·​a·​tive ə-ˈbli-tə-ˌrā-tiv 

ō-,

-rə-tiv 

: inducing or characterized by obliteration: such as

a

: causing or accompanied by closure or collapse of a lumen

obliterative arterial disease

b

: tending to make inconspicuous

obliterative behavior

Examples of obliterative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So engineers at Pennsylvania State University came up with an engine that combines the positive attributes of fission and fusion with the obliterative energy available in antimatter collisions. —Meghan Herbst, Wired, 17 June 2021

That’s all that was needed; deaf culture went on the chopping block the minute an obliterative procedure was developed. —New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

obliterate + -ive

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

obliterative

adjective

oblit·​er·​a·​tive ə-ˈblit-ə-ˌrāt-iv  ō- 

-ə-rət-

: inducing or characterized by obliteration

especially : causing or accompanied by closure or collapse of a lumen

obliterative arterial disease