to obliterate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to 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 powerful storm threatened to obliterate the small coastal town, leaving nothing but debris in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it worth risking the obliteration of the world to obliterate Obama's second term?

The New York Times

It tends to obliterate personality.

The New Yorker

They were hard to obliterate.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr Benn's aim is to obliterate democracy".

Independent

"To obliterate real works of the Canadian imagination is to obliterate ourselves," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

What matters is to obliterate the self".

The New York Times - Books

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

The Economist

That constantly bears down and tries to obliterate any void.

The New York Times - Science

He is going to obliterate the lot of them.

The Guardian

Daesh sought to obliterate Syria's cultural and historical landmarks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recaptured Past Time, speeding by, threatens to obliterate the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to obliterate" when you want to convey a sense of complete and irreversible removal or destruction, leaving no trace behind. It is particularly effective in emphasizing the magnitude of the action.

Common error

While "to obliterate" is widely understood, its intensity can feel out of place in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for softer alternatives like "to remove" or "to delete" if the situation doesn't warrant such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to obliterate" functions as an infinitive, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It describes the action of completely removing or destroying something. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used to describe forceful or thorough actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to obliterate" is a versatile infinitive phrase that means to completely remove or destroy something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While it effectively conveys a sense of total destruction, it is important to consider the context and choose softer alternatives when a less intense term is needed. Remember to wield "to obliterate" judiciously to enhance, not overwhelm, your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to completely destroy

Focuses on the act of destruction being total and absolute.

to wipe out

Implies a swift and thorough removal, often used in contexts of annihilation.

to erase completely

Emphasizes the removal of any trace or evidence.

to eradicate

Suggests a systematic and complete elimination, often of something undesirable.

to annihilate

Conveys a forceful and total destruction, often on a large scale.

to eliminate entirely

Highlights the thoroughness of the removal process.

to expunge

Formally means to strike out or blot out, typically from a record.

to blot out

Implies obscuring or covering completely, leading to disappearance.

to extinguish

Often used in the context of ending or suppressing something intangible, like hope or a dream.

to nullify completely

Means to render something void or without legal force, but can extend metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "to obliterate" in a sentence?

The phrase "to obliterate" is often used to describe the complete destruction or removal of something, as in, "The invading army sought "to obliterate" the city's landmarks" or "The company's goal was "to obliterate" its competition".

What are some alternatives to "to obliterate"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to completely destroy", "to wipe out", or "to erase completely" as alternatives to "to obliterate".

What is the difference between "to obliterate" and "to destroy"?

"To destroy" generally means to damage something severely, while "to obliterate" implies a more complete and thorough removal or destruction, leaving no trace behind. Therefore, "to obliterate" suggests a higher degree of finality.

Is "to obliterate" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "to obliterate" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the complete and irreversible nature of the destruction or removal. However, consider the tone and choose the word that best fits the context.