annihilative

9.9

Something that destroys completely, like a powerful bomb

adjective
/əˈnaɪəˌleɪtɪv/

: aniquilador

Many scientists warn that climate change has annihilative effects on biodiversity.

Examples

In contrast to the prevailing characterization of Dada as cynical and annihilative, Ball's 1916 cabaret sought a new society of individuals with internationalist politics and potentially a universal language.

Academic text (2014)
The annihilative power of the bomb left the city in ruins.
The annihilative force of the tsunami destroyed entire coastal towns.

Synonyms

destructive

vsannihilative

243 4.2

Causing great damage or harm

specifies complete power to destroy rather than a general harmful tendency

devastating

vsannihilative

224 5.1

Causing very great damage or sadness

is narrower in harm, emphasizing absolute destruction power instead of general severity

annihilatory

vsannihilative

8.9

Causing total destruction

is the same idea but stresses inherent power to destroy completely

obliterative

vsannihilative

9.1

Causing complete destruction so nothing is left

focuses more on the raw power to cause total destruction

exterminatory

vsannihilative

9.1

Intended to destroy things completely

stresses ability to cause total destruction rather than intent alone

annihilating

vsannihilative

NSFW

7.8

Something that causes complete destruction or total defeat

highlights the general power to cause total destruction rather than specific outcomes

ravaging

vsannihilative

7.4

Making people, places, or things suffer very severe damage

is stronger, implying total annihilation rather than mainly ruinous damage

withering

vsannihilative

7.4

Causing great damage and destruction

is more absolute, focusing on complete destruction rather than powerful harm

How Destructive

annihilative

9.9

destructive

243 4.2

damaging

80 3.1

harmless

231 1.0

Surface Forms

annihilative positive

Morphology

annihilative = annihilate (transparent) = annihilate + ive

The adjective is directly formed from the verb 'annihilate' with a standard adjectival suffix, so the meaning 'causing annihilation' is predictable.

Etymology

The word annihilative comes from the Latin root nihil meaning 'nothing' and the prefix an- that gives the idea 'make nothing'. So something annihilative can destroy so completely that it leaves 'nothing' behind, which is why it means causing complete destruction.