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obliteration

obliteration

6 7.9
Complete destruction that leaves nothing behind
  • noun
  • /əˌblɪtəˈreɪʃən/
translation icon : aniquilación
  • After the explosion, there was an obliteration of the old building, reducing it to rubble.
  • total obliteration
  • complete obliteration
  • self-obliteration

It wasn't just planned and constructive forgetting, It was obliteration of what actually happened.

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Examples

  • Now, here on this rugged patch of earth called Plataea... ...Xerxes' hordes face obliteration!

  • Fear is the little death that brings obliteration.

  • Refusal to do so will result in your obliteration.

  • Join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration.

  • Corporations risk economic obliteration over an indictment, never mind conviction at trial.

    Academic text (2017)
  • It wasn't just planned and constructive forgetting, It was obliteration of what actually happened.

  • His classic critique of the World War II practice of obliteration bombing was brilliant, courageous, and singular.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The hurricane caused the complete obliteration of the coastal town, leaving nothing behind.

  • The attack led to the swift obliteration of the enemy's supply lines and infrastructure.

Synonyms

destruction
vsobliteration
849 3.0

Severe damage that makes something no longer exist or cannot be fixed

is focused on absolute removal leaving nothing behind
extinction
vsobliteration
150 4.4

The dying out of a species so it no longer exists

is about active removal rather than a natural dying out
elimination
vsobliteration
77 3.5

The act of removing something you do not need

is stricter, meaning total removal leaving nothing behind
annihilation
vsobliteration
  • NSFW
47 8.1

Complete destruction so nothing is left

is the same meaning but often used with stronger emphasis
extermination
vsobliteration
  • NSFW
32 7.4

A complete killing or removal of a group of living things

is more general and applies beyond groups of living things
eradication
vsobliteration
19 6.8

Complete removal of something unwanted

is similar but not limited to unwanted targets
desolation
vsobliteration
11 7.7

An area left empty and ruined after a disaster

is the act or result that removes everything rather than just emptiness
incineration
vsobliteration
  • Specialized
5 6.4

Burning waste completely until only ash remains

is general destruction leaving nothing rather than leaving ashes
wipeout
vsobliteration
3 6.3

Complete destruction that leaves nothing left

is the general concept of total loss not only events
erasure
vsobliteration
3 5.9

The act of removing writing or information from a document

is broader and physical not limited to records or documents
extirpation
vsobliteration
  • Formal
9.8

Complete removal of something, often by pulling it out by the roots

is similar but not necessarily a physical uprooting process
demolishment
vsobliteration
5.7

The act of destroying something so it is completely ruined

is broader and includes all ways that leave nothing remaining
vastation
vsobliteration
  • Archaic
9.9

A state of complete destruction that leaves a place ruined

is the overall removal of all parts not only place damage

Antonyms

350 3.6

Keeping something in good working order by checking and fixing it regularly

90 3.8

Keeping things safe and in good condition, for example food or buildings

How Destroyed

annihilation
  • NSFW
47 8.1
obliteration
6 7.9
destruction
849 3.0
to damage
885 1.4

Surface Forms

obliteration singular
obliterations plural

Morphology

obliteration = obliterate (transparent) = obliterate + ion

Standard nominalization from the verb 'obliterate'; the noun directly denotes the act or result of obliterating.

Etymology

Obliteration comes from Latin parts ob- 'against' and littera 'letter', because it first meant 'to blot out letters' or erase writing. So obliteration now means something is completely gone or destroyed, as if it had been wiped off a page.