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Definition of obliterate

obliterate

/əˈblɪt.ə.ɹeɪt/
ob · lit · er · ate
Adjective:obliterative
•
Past Simple:obliterated
•
Past Participle:obliterated
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Present Participle:obliterating
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obliterate Lexical Profile

obliterate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To destroy utterly so that nothing remains.

Example

"The ancient coastal settlement was completely obliterated by the volcanic eruption."

2

To make invisible, indistinct, or imperceptible by covering, erasing, or blotting out (especially of writing, marks, or memories).

Example

"Centuries of wind and rain had obliterated the inscriptions carved into the stone monument."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for obliterate

• Nearby Words

oblique
obliquely
obliqueness
obliterate
obliteration
obliterator
oblivion

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from the Latin past participle 'obliteratus' (from 'obliterare', meaning 'to erase or blot out'), originally formed from 'ob-' (over) and 'littera' (letter or script), referring literally to striking out written letters.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Obliterate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/obliterate
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