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Glite Dictionary
to obliterate the evidence

to obliterate the evidence

8.1
Destroy all signs that show something happened
  • phrasal verb
  • /əˈblɪtəˌreɪt ði ˈɛvɪdəns/
  • NSFW
translation icon : borrar las pruebas
  • I believe he started the fire to obliterate the evidence.

Examples

  • She used a shredder to obliterate the evidence before anyone could find it.

  • The criminal tried to obliterate the evidence of his wrongdoing by burning the documents.

  • In an attempt to hide the crime, he worked quickly to obliterate the evidence left behind.

Synonyms

to destroy
vsto obliterate the evidence
∞ 1.0

Damage something so badly that it cannot be used or fixed

is narrower, focusing on removing proof rather than general severe damage
to eliminate
vsto obliterate the evidence
  • NSFW
502 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

is specifically about removing proof so no record or trace survives
to wipe
vsto obliterate the evidence
  • Specialized
308 3.6

To erase all data on a computer or phone so it cannot be recovered

is about removing proof more generally, not only digital data
to delete
vsto obliterate the evidence
287 2.0

To remove information like text or files so it cannot be seen

aims to destroy proof completely rather than just hide visible items
to wipe out
vsto obliterate the evidence
189 4.2

Destroy something so nothing is left

is used to mean removing proof so no trace remains
to erase
vsto obliterate the evidence
156 2.2

Remove all traces of something from memory or history

targets removing proof of wrongdoing rather than information in general
to eradicate
vsto obliterate the evidence
85 6.6

Remove something harmful completely, for example a disease or pest

is about destroying proof rather than removing harmful problems
to obliterate
vsto obliterate the evidence
71 7.5

To destroy something completely so nothing remains

targets destroying proof specifically rather than any general object
to exterminate
vsto obliterate the evidence
  • NSFW
60 6.9

To destroy something completely, often on purpose

focuses on destroying proof deliberately rather than killing living targets
to incinerate
vsto obliterate the evidence
33 7.1

To burn things like documents or waste until they turn to ash

is broader, meaning to remove proof in many ways, not only by burning
to expunge
vsto obliterate the evidence
21 8.8

To remove all signs of something like a record or memory so it cannot be found

aims specifically to destroy proof so no trace of wrongdoing remains
to demolish
vsto obliterate the evidence
15 4.2

Completely destroy an idea, argument, or reputation

is about erasing proof physically or legally, not attacking ideas
to pulverize
vsto obliterate the evidence
  • US
15 7.6

To destroy something completely so nothing is left

is less about erasing proof and more about physical crushing
to sweep away
vsto obliterate the evidence
1 3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

focuses on erasing proof of actions rather than physical removal
to extirpate
vsto obliterate the evidence
  • Formal
1 9.9

To destroy something completely, including its root

aims at removing proof itself rather than removing roots or causes

Antonyms

to preserve
496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

to retain
236 3.4

To keep having something such as a job or possession

How Concealed

to obliterate the evidence
  • NSFW
8.1
to hide the dirt
  • Informal
8.2
to whitewash
12 6.0
to sweep under the rug
  • Informal
8 7.7

Surface Forms

obliterate the evidence infinitive
obliterated the evidence past
obliterated the evidence past participle
obliterating the evidence present participle
obliterates the evidence third person singular

Morphology

obliterate + the + evidence

The verb 'obliterate' means to destroy or erase completely and 'evidence' means proof, so their combination clearly yields 'completely destroy the proof'. This is a literal, compositional verb + object construction (with a definite article) that follows normal semantic composition and is therefore immediately understandable to learners who know the constituent words.

Etymology

Obliterate the evidence comes from the image of someone wiping away writing or marks until nothing is left. To obliterate once meant to make letters disappear and evidence are the marks that prove something, so the phrase means 'to completely destroy or erase proof of something'.