annihilate
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for annihilate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To destroy completely; to wipe out entirely.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use annihilate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin annihilare, "to reduce to nothing," from ad- ("to") + nihil ("nothing").
Full origin of annihilate →Frequently asked questions
What does “annihilate” mean?
The word “annihilate” means to destroy completely; to wipe out entirely. In plain terms, to destroy something so completely that nothing is left of it.
How do you pronounce “annihilate”?
“Annihilate” is pronounced uh-NEYE-uh-layt (/əˈnaɪ.ə.leɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “annihilate” in a sentence?
Here is “annihilate” used in a sentence: “The bombing raid annihilated the enemy supply lines.”
What is the opposite of “annihilate”?
The opposite of “annihilate” — its antonyms — are create and generate.
What part of speech is “annihilate”?
“Annihilate” is a verb.
Where does the word “annihilate” come from?
The word “annihilate” comes from Latin. From Latin annihilare, "to reduce to nothing," from ad- ("to") + nihil ("nothing").
How many meanings does “annihilate” have?
“Annihilate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to destroy completely; to wipe out entirely.