1
as in eradicating
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroying
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 overcoming
to defeat by a large margin
we didn't just win; we absolutely annihilated them!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of annihilating
That means eliminating Iran's Navy, which is now absolutely destroyed, hurting their Air Force and their missile program at levels never seen before, and annihilating their defense industrial base.
—
James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The Death Star, the Empire's planet-annihilating battlestation, has long been the Holy Grail of Lego Star Wars fans.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026
So, if the president succeeds in 'annihilating,' in his words, the Iranian navy, then long-term prospects of closure should decline, and that should increase the likelihood that ships will start sailing again.
—David McHugh, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Its project is annihilating transformation.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Usually these particles almost immediately disappear again by annihilating each other—but not this time.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
As the Universe expands and cools, the cross-section drops, and eventually, dark matter stops annihilating away or interacting with anything else in any appreciable way.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Indiana’s defense is masterful, a plug-and-play roster that is annihilating opponents without its leading tackler.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
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
James Powel, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The Death Star, the Empire's planet-annihilating battlestation, has long been the Holy Grail of Lego Star Wars fans.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026
So, if the president succeeds in 'annihilating,' in his words, the Iranian navy, then long-term prospects of closure should decline, and that should increase the likelihood that ships will start sailing again.
—David McHugh, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Its project is annihilating transformation.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Usually these particles almost immediately disappear again by annihilating each other—but not this time.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
As the Universe expands and cools, the cross-section drops, and eventually, dark matter stops annihilating away or interacting with anything else in any appreciable way.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Indiana’s defense is masterful, a plug-and-play roster that is annihilating opponents without its leading tackler.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilating
Verb
-
But roots can be deep and seeds can spread easily, making eradicating invasive plants difficult.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
-
This makes prediction markets the most useful and precise tool for eradicating exposing insider trading that has ever existed—a tool Congress should rely on heavily, not legislate out of existence.—
Nic Puckrin,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The author is an entrepreneur and working on a book about overcoming betrayal.—
Emily Bryn Williams,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Two years ago, Romeo and her family celebrated her evolution as a performer after overcoming previous struggles.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Shea Theodore had a goal and an assist and Brayden McNabb scored a short-handed goal as the Golden Knights stormed to a 5-0 lead after two periods, silencing a sellout crowd in Orange County and erasing memories of their rough offensive outing in Game 2.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Several southern states have begun to capitalize on the Supreme Court ruling, including Tennessee, which approved a new voting map a day before the decision in Virginia, likely erasing the only blue district in the state.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
-
The Preakness is taking place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington this spring while its longtime home, Pimlico Race Course, is rebuilt as part of a massive construction project that included demolishing the debilitating old structure.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Even worse, local governments are starting to follow suit, holding meetings and burying documents in secrecy when the truth is politically inconvenient.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
According to officials, a tank containing 50,000 gallons of asphalt failed and spilled, burying the victim under three feet of asphalt.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mayor Mamdani’s glib campaign goal of abolishing the fares on buses for everyone makes a lot less sense than cutting bus and subway fares for the New Yorkers who actually need it most.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Trump has proposed eliminating Head Start and abolishing the Department of Education.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Annihilating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilating. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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