1
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
the family's attempts to annihilate the roach population in their apartment had met with little success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the tornado simply annihilated the family's home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overcome
to defeat by a large margin
we didn't just win; we absolutely annihilated them!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of annihilate
Cushionaire Platform Ankle Boots These platform ankle boots look shockingly similar to more expensive pairs, but won’t annihilate your holiday gift budget — or your feet on long travel days.
—
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Her anger stems from a catastrophic event that annihilated the clan's homeland.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Bayonne’s most notable movie moment in this century was a brief appearance in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds (it was annihilated by aliens).
—Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Her anger stems from a catastrophic event that annihilated the clan's homeland.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Bayonne’s most notable movie moment in this century was a brief appearance in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds (it was annihilated by aliens).
—Andrew Rice, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilate
Verb
-
California wildlife officials have approved a plan to eradicate Catalina’s entire deer population as part of a broader effort to restore the island ecosystem, sparking fierce opposition from an unusual coalition of hunters and animal welfare advocates.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
To date, the only other human disease ever eradicated was the virus that caused smallpox.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when a man from Anne’s past returns from war, a curse begins to take shape through a mysterious knight and threatens to destroy them all.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Plenty of plants were destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades fires, of course, especially highly flammable shrubs like tall, skinny arborvitae.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Environmental justice advocates say that, in the past, vulnerable communities viewed the federal government as an ally to overcome roadblocks with local and state governments to access resources.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
And none have the same late-season baggage to overcome as the Red Wings.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But while leading with three laps to go, a caution erased his advantage and Kyle Larson jumped ahead of him during a sequence of pit stops and a restart to win the championship instead.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Hank activates the device, erasing his personality from the world and becoming part of something bigger.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The World Food Program said in an earlier statement that its warehouse was demolished by Somali authorities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The building will be demolished to make way for an 86-unit affordable housing development, according to board documents.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to his arrest, he was interviewed by People Magazine Investigates at the cemetery where his father is buried.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Gaza Health Ministry currently reports 71,667 deaths, including more than 450 since the October 2025 ceasefire, though Israeli officials said the estimate does not include bodies believed to be buried under rubble.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some of the loudest calls to abolish ICE have come from Gen Z and millennial candidates, many of whom have sought to frame their bids around a larger rejection of Democratic Party norms.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Under his proposal, the position of prime minister would be abolished and the duties of the role absorbed into the office of the president.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
To say much more would be to ruin the wild twists and turns that unfold as the night marches onward.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Annihilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
