annihilate
verb
an·ni·hi·late
ə-ˈnī-ə-ˌlāt 
annihilated; annihilating
1
a
: to cause to cease to exist : to do away with entirely so that nothing remains
b
: to destroy a considerable part of
Bombs annihilated the city.
The enemy troops were annihilated.
c
: to defeat overwhelmingly : rout
annihilated the visitors 56–0
2
a
: to cause to be of no effect : nullify
a right to freedom that cannot be annihilated
b
: to destroy the substance or force of
Fear can annihilate one's confidence.
3
: to regard as of no consequence
4
: to cause (something, such as a particle and its antiparticle) to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)
matter and antimatter annihilate each other
of a particle and its antiparticle
: to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)
Examples of annihilate in a Sentence
The enemy troops were annihilated.
He annihilated his opponent in the last election.
Recent Examples on the Web
These particle pairs pop in and out of existence, rapidly annihilating each other.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 May 2025
Small amounts of antimatter are also produced by lightning during a thunderstorm but they are almost instantly annihilated by matter, Vaudo notes.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to annihilate Hamas and return the 59 hostages still in Gaza — 24 believed to be alive.
—Isaac Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
The crescent shape of the new condo tower and its jarring proximity, combined with the formerly soothing prevailing breeze, creates a wind tunnel that rakes across the north side of Building 3 and the driveway entrance, knocking down patio furniture, annihilating hairdos and slamming car doors.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
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Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 May 2025
Small amounts of antimatter are also produced by lightning during a thunderstorm but they are almost instantly annihilated by matter, Vaudo notes.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to annihilate Hamas and return the 59 hostages still in Gaza — 24 believed to be alive.
—Isaac Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
The crescent shape of the new condo tower and its jarring proximity, combined with the formerly soothing prevailing breeze, creates a wind tunnel that rakes across the north side of Building 3 and the driveway entrance, knocking down patio furniture, annihilating hairdos and slamming car doors.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Cite this Entry
“Annihilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annihilate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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