obliterate

American

[uh-blit-uh-reyt] / əˈblɪt əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

obliterated, obliterating

to remove or destroy all traces of; do away with; destroy completely.
to blot out or render undecipherable (writing, marks, etc.); efface.

Synonyms:

expunge

obliterate British

/ əˈblɪtəˌreɪt /

verb

(tr) to destroy every trace of; wipe out completely

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See cancel.

Other Word Forms

obliterable adjective
obliteration noun
obliterative adjective
obliterator noun

Etymology

Origin of obliterate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin oblitterātus “effaced,” past participle of oblitterāre “to efface, cause to be forgotten,” equivalent to ob- ob- + litter(a) letter ¹ + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They were utterly obliterated by a Blue Jays squad that seemed completely oblivious to the idea that they were here to serve as spectators to the Dodgers’ inevitable coronation.

From The Wall Street Journal

A local preservation group, supported by a descendant of the 19th century artist, say they fear the site will be "obliterated" by the plans, which include building an archive centre in the hall's kitchen garden.

From BBC

Vance also warned that "if Hamas does not co-operate, it will be obliterated", while refusing to give a deadline for when the Palestinian group must disarm - a part of US proposals yet to be agreed.

From BBC

Back in Ukraine, the BBC spoke on Friday to a couple repairing the small store they own in a suburb of Kyiv, after it was obliterated by Russian missiles last month.

From BBC

Live performances rooted in the Black experience, and scripted by Strachan, take place among museum visitors, obliterating the divide between art and spectator.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023