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
Joel, wanting to save Ellie's life, then annihilated everyone at the Fireflies hospital who stood in his way.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 25 May 2025
The military's job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America anywhere, any time and any place.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 25 May 2025
The military's job is to dominate and foe and annihilate any threat to America, anywhere, anytime and anywhere.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
Ohtani annihilated it, sending a shot 113 mph off his bat and 426 feet into the seats.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
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Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 25 May 2025
The military's job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America anywhere, any time and any place.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 25 May 2025
The military's job is to dominate and foe and annihilate any threat to America, anywhere, anytime and anywhere.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
Ohtani annihilated it, sending a shot 113 mph off his bat and 426 feet into the seats.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 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 1 Jun. 2025.
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