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
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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
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Recent Examples of annihilate
From the middle of the seventeenth century to the end of the Cold War, forces defeated in a battle at sea lost almost a third of their battle squadrons on average; 13 percent of the time, the losing side was annihilated altogether.
—
Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2025
Caine left a strong impression on the then-first-term commander-in-chief, telling him that ISIS could be annihilated in one week.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Feb. 2025
The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost. Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The artist and rapper has been annihilating each show she’s been attending and her lineup is stacked.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2025
Caine left a strong impression on the then-first-term commander-in-chief, telling him that ISIS could be annihilated in one week.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Feb. 2025
The landing force annihilated, the battle is lost. Against overwhelming odds, Scott dares the unthinkable — cross behind enemy lines, survive the lethal landscape, evade capture by ruthless enemies, resist natural predators, face human deserters and finish the mission singlehandedly.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The artist and rapper has been annihilating each show she’s been attending and her lineup is stacked.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for annihilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilate
Verb
-
Screwworms were eradicated from the US by about 1966.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
-
The Department of Justice eradicated a decades-long civil rights case regarding the desegregation of a Louisiana school district.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
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To allow these courts to be destroyed to make pickleball courts is just wrong.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
-
How choice destroyed the milk industry But milk’s bursts in popularity have been conspicuously conditional, ebbing and flowing with the economy and government support.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Even before the latest crackdown, Florida Decides Healthcare and every other Florida initiative campaign had to overcome immense hurdles.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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At the same time, the Clippers have to overcome being … well … the Clippers.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Every February, Dresden seeks to commemorate the Allied bombing attack in 1945 that essentially erased the city.—
Mark Sappenfield,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
-
Buxton’s leadoff single in the ninth inning was erased by a double play, and the Twins only scored once in the 10th on Jonah Bride’s sac fly.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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WIth Jarren Duran on first with a one-out single in the sixth, Devers demolished Lugo’s first pitch, a 91.8 mph four-seamer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
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If anything, Gunther should absolutely demolish the beloved McAfee as a way of getting back on the right foot following a surprise submission defeat to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Prominent government leaders like John F. Kennedy and Thurgood Marshall, as well as famous women including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Grace Hopper, are buried here, too.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
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Here in Paris, he is technically buried on American soil: earth from the Battle of Bunker Hill.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
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The Swiss government said Switzerland abolished all industrial tariffs on Jan. 1 last year, meaning that 99% of all goods from the United States can be imported into Switzerland duty-free.—
Paul Wiseman,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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In late April, reports emerged that President Trump’s 2026 budget could seek to abolish Head Start entirely, as recommended in Project 2025, the policy blueprint for the second Trump term.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Annihilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilate. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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