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
Thousands of historic books are in jeopardy over a massive bug infestation that could annihilate centuries-long of historical records.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
The Young Bucks annihilated Swerve with Superkicks, but Swerve and Ospreay countered the EVP Trigger with a Hidden Blade from Ospreay while Swerve clinched the Young Bucks.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
But for Kendrick to annihilate a name that big and then write a song that became a huge hit and then perform at halftime?
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The region has been on edge for the past two years as Israel seeks to annihilate the Hamas group, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
—Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
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Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
The Young Bucks annihilated Swerve with Superkicks, but Swerve and Ospreay countered the EVP Trigger with a Hidden Blade from Ospreay while Swerve clinched the Young Bucks.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
But for Kendrick to annihilate a name that big and then write a song that became a huge hit and then perform at halftime?
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The region has been on edge for the past two years as Israel seeks to annihilate the Hamas group, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
—Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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