obliterate

[ uh-blit-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ob·lit·er·at·ed, ob·lit·er·at·ing.

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

   Synonyms: expunge

obliterate

/ əˈblɪtəˌreɪt /

verb

1. tr to destroy every trace of; wipe out completely

Derived Forms

• oˈbliterative, adjective
• oˌbliteˈration, noun
• oˈbliterˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ob·lit·er·a·ble [uh, -, blit, -er-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• o·blit·er·a·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obliterate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of obliterate¹

C16: from Latin oblitterāre to erase, from ob- out + littera letter

Synonym Study

See cancel.

Example Sentences

Israel has destroyed 80% of the ones they have found, and needs only a few days to obliterate the rest.

From The Daily Beast

A failure to act “would erode, perhaps obliterate” the taboo against such weapons.

From The Daily Beast

Destroy them God, obliterate them from the face of the earth.

From The Daily Beast

He promised to obliterate Obamacare “and replace it with real reform.”

From The Daily Beast

Yet to destroy the precious book would be to obliterate centuries of information about the Ma family line.

From The Daily Beast

For the time being the interests of an enterprise of five thousand would obliterate those of fifty.

From Project Gutenberg

He loved to trace her name linked with his own, and then to obliterate it again, in case anyone would see it.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, Socialism, excluding competition inspired by self-interest would obliterate the social dividend.

From Project Gutenberg

All the vindictiveness and rancor of a party press could not obliterate these traits, and character sufficed to put down calumny.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter has allowed its prejudices and its feelings to obliterate or to stultify its reason.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annihilate
• black out
• eliminate
• eradicate
• erase
• expunge
• exterminate
• knock out
• obscure
• ravage
• smash
• wash out
• wipe out