obliterate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obliterate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of completely destroying or erasing something. Example: "The floodwaters threatened to obliterate the small town, leaving nothing but debris in their wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Wednesday night, as the 24-hour pre-poll silence began, the taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said a yes vote would "obliterate prejudice".

The Guardian - Opinion

Lee Clark said: "It is still mathematically possible but we are going to have to obliterate the league if we're to stay up".

The Guardian - Sport

Laws on their own never obliterate prejudice.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is charmed by their insider-knowledge of America's primary system, and finds them unamused by Hillary "Totally Obliterate" Clinton and John "Bomb Bomb Iran" McCain.But despite the headline, Mr Cole says almost nothing about...what's his name again?

The Economist

Bluto (played by the now immortal John Belushi) was rallying the beleaguered brothers of Delta Tau Chi, victims of the censorious Dean Vernon Wormer and his campaign to obliterate the fraternity of debauched misfits.

The Economist

As a mixed-race child, she grew up as one of Australia's "stolen generations" ordered to obliterate her aboriginal heritage.

The Economist

Globalisation was supposed to obliterate family firms' comfy business models.

The Economist

Workers ordered by officials to use sprays to remove graffiti have failed to obliterate slogans calling for Bashar Assad to go.At midnight on Thursday June 9th, protesters shout out the takbir Allahu akbar!

The Economist

When his ego clashed with that of a fiery Italian soprano, Cecilia Bartoli, however, the Metropolitan Opera chose to stick with her.Ms Bassett's first-class authorised biography does not mask Sir Jonathan's weaknesses, but she says that, "in conversation, his flaws seem more tragicomic than intolerable the bile and bitterness never quite obliterate the man's warmth".

The Economist

With these, America could launch long-range strikes to obliterate regimes but not nations.The review gives equal prominence to China, the power with "greatest potential to compete militarily" with America.

The Economist

Both were pitted against younger men widely expected to obliterate them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obliterate" when you want to emphasize the complete and thorough removal or destruction of something, leaving no trace behind. This word is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "obliterate" in overly casual or trivial situations. Its strong connotation of complete destruction can sound hyperbolic if the situation doesn't warrant it. Consider gentler synonyms like "erase" or "remove" for less dramatic effect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obliterate" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its use in denoting the act of completely destroying or removing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "obliterate" is a transitive verb used to describe the act of completely destroying or removing something, leaving no trace. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. When writing, "obliterate" should be used to emphasize thorough destruction, but overuse in casual contexts can sound hyperbolic. Alternatives include "wipe out" and "destroy completely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destroy completely

A direct synonym that emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction, comparable to the comprehensive removal implied by "obliterate".

wipe out

Implies a complete removal, often sudden and forceful, similar to "obliterate" but may suggest a more physical or immediate action.

erase completely

Focuses on the act of removing or deleting something entirely, like data or memories, similar to removing all traces as in "obliterate".

annihilate

Suggests a complete and utter destruction, often used in contexts of warfare or conflict, conveying a stronger sense of violence than "obliterate".

eradicate

Implies the removal of something undesirable or harmful, like a disease or problem, suggesting a thorough and permanent solution, somewhat more specific than "obliterate".

demolish

Refers to the act of tearing down or destroying a structure, often in a controlled manner, implying a more physical act of destruction than "obliterate".

blot out

Suggests covering or obscuring something completely, often used in a metaphorical sense, similar to how "obliterate" can be used to describe the disappearance of something.

efface

Focuses on the act of making something indistinct or invisible, often through gradual wear or intentional removal, relating to the erasing aspect of "obliterate".

extinguish

Commonly used for putting out fires or ending something, also conveys the sense of bringing something to an end, as in to "obliterate".

nullify

Means to make something invalid or ineffective, different from physical destruction, but implies a cancellation of something's power or existence, relating to the removal aspect of "obliterate".

FAQs

How can I use "obliterate" in a sentence?

You can use "obliterate" to describe the complete removal or destruction of something. For example, "The tsunami threatened to obliterate the coastal village" or "The new law aims to obliterate corruption within the government."

What can I say instead of "obliterate"?

You can use alternatives like "wipe out", "destroy completely", or "erase completely" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "obliterate" in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, "obliterate" can be used metaphorically to describe the complete removal of something non-physical, such as memories, prejudice, or a disadvantage. For example, "The new evidence seemed to obliterate all doubt."

What is the difference between "obliterate" and "eliminate"?

"Obliterate" implies a more thorough and complete removal than "eliminate". While "eliminate" suggests getting rid of something, "obliterate" suggests removing all traces of it. You might eliminate a problem, but obliterate its effects.