Definition of ANNIHILATES (original) (raw)

transitive verb

: to cause to cease to exist : to do away with entirely so that nothing remains

: to destroy a considerable part of

Bombs annihilated the city.

The enemy troops were annihilated.

: to defeat overwhelmingly : rout

annihilated the visitors 56–0

: to cause to be of no effect : nullify

a right to freedom that cannot be annihilated

: to destroy the substance or force of

Fear can annihilate one's confidence.

: to regard as of no consequence

: 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

intransitive verb

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)

Synonyms

Examples of annihilate in a Sentence

The enemy troops were annihilated. He annihilated his opponent in the last election.

Recent Examples on the Web

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But at the time, Iran and Russia, the Syrian regime’s allies, proved to be more committed: Iran and its proxy militias—especially Hezbollah—helped Assad to besiege and bombard his own people; Russia with its Sukhoi fighter jets annihilated entire cities. —Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024 In addition to the deaths of hundreds of people, more than 35 square blocks were destroyed, annihilating houses and businesses. —Michelle Garcia, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024 Putin also definitively wants to annihilate Ukrainian national identity, and views the conversion of Ukrainian children into faithful Russians as a major component of his criminal undertaking. —Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2024 Colorado was getting annihilated every week under Karl Dorrell. —Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for annihilate