noun
Uncommon
annihilation
uh-neye-uh-LAY-shuhn
Annihilation (noun) means Total destruction; the act of wiping something out of existence. Example: “The city faced annihilation under constant bombardment.”
noun
1
Total destruction; the act of wiping something out of existence.
"The city faced annihilation under constant bombardment."
"Nuclear war raised the specter of total annihilation."
2
Physics: the process by which a particle and antiparticle destroy each other, converting their mass into energy.
"The detector measured the energy released during annihilation."
How to use annihilation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishComplete destruction, or (in physics) the mutual destruction of matter and antimatter.
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Word forms
- Plural
- annihilations
Fill the gap
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The city faced _____ under constant bombardment.
Etymology
From Latin annihilatio, from annihilare ("to reduce to nothing").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for annihilation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for annihilation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “annihilation” mean?
The word “annihilation” means total destruction; the act of wiping something out of existence. In plain terms, complete destruction, or (in physics) the mutual destruction of matter and antimatter.
How do you pronounce “annihilation”?
“Annihilation” is pronounced uh-neye-uh-LAY-shuhn (/əˌnaɪ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “annihilation” in a sentence?
Here is “annihilation” used in a sentence: “The city faced annihilation under constant bombardment.”
What is the opposite of “annihilation”?
The opposite of “annihilation” — its antonyms — are creation and generation.
What part of speech is “annihilation”?
“Annihilation” is a noun.
Where does the word “annihilation” come from?
The word “annihilation” comes from Latin. From Latin annihilatio, from annihilare ("to reduce to nothing").
Is “annihilation” a common word?
“Annihilation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “annihilation” have?
“Annihilation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: total destruction; the act of wiping something out of existence.
