obliterate
obliterate
Pronunciation
Obliterate /əˈblɪtəˌɹeɪt/ (General American)
Here's the breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ob /ə/ (schwa sound, similar to "uh")
lit /ˈblɪ/ (combination of "bl" and "ih" sound)
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive)
/l/ (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel, similar to "ih" in "hit")
er /ə/ (schwa sound)
ate /ˌɹeɪt/
/ɹ/ (alveolar approximant, similar to "r" sound)
/eɪ/ (diphthong sound, combination of "eh" and "ee")
/t/ (alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Obliterate itself doesn't have variations based on singular or plural. It's a verb, and verbs don't change form to indicate singular or plural subjects.
However, here are the word form variations of "obliterate":
Present tense (singular and plural): obliterates
Past tense (singular and plural): obliterated
Past participle: obliterated
Present participle: obliterating
Noun: obliteration (act of obliterating)
Adjective: obliterative (tending to obliterate)
Less common: obliterator (someone or something that obliterates)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb:
Definition:
To destroy something completely, leaving no trace or remains.
To completely remove or erase something, often figuratively.
Synonyms: annihilate, demolish, eradicate, devastate, wipe out, destroy utterly, abolish
Antonyms: build, create, preserve, conserve, maintain
Noun:
Definition:
The complete destruction of something, leaving no trace or remains.
The complete removal or erasure of something.
Synonyms: annihilation, demolition, eradication, devastation, wiping out
Antonyms: creation, preservation, conservation
Adjective (Less Common):
Definition:
Tending to obliterate; destructive or devastating.
Synonyms: destructive, devastating, ruinous
Antonyms: constructive, preserving, conserving
Examples of Use
Books:
"The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD obliterated the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum." (PBS documentary, "Pompeii: Secrets of the City")
"The villain vowed to obliterate the entire city with his doomsday device." (Science fiction novel)
Newspapers:
"Wildfires in California have obliterated entire neighborhoods, leaving residents displaced and heartbroken." (Los Angeles Times)
Online Publications:
"Climate change threatens to obliterate coastal ecosystems if left unchecked." (National Geographic website)
Entertainment Mediums:
Movie: "The hero used a powerful laser beam to obliterate the alien spaceship." (Action movie)
Video Game: "Players must strategize to obliterate their opponents' defenses." (Real-time strategy game)
General Public Discourse:
"Studying all night obliterated any chance I had of getting a good grade on the exam." (Informal conversation)
"The new tax law has obliterated any hope of small businesses surviving." (Political commentary)
Bonus Example:
Historical Context: "The invention of the printing press helped to obliterate the monopoly that the Church held on knowledge." (Historical documentary)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Obliterate
While there aren't many quotes by famous figures that directly use "obliterate," here are 10 quotes that capture the essence of the word:
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it." (Karl Marx) - This quote implies a complete overhaul of the existing system.
"The light that shines farthest shines brightest nearest home." (D.H. Lawrence) - The light here represents a powerful influence that dominates everything close to it.
"Beware of what you burn; the ashes may choke you." (D.H. Lawrence) - This quote warns of unintended consequences, potentially leading to complete destruction.
"Winter is coming." (House Stark motto, Game of Thrones) - This short phrase foreshadows a devastating event that will drastically alter the world.
"Nuclear war is a threat that cannot be ignored. There is no victory in nuclear war. Only devastation." (Ronald Reagan) - Devastation implies complete destruction, similar to obliteration.
"The rain came down in sheets and obliterated the view completely." (Agatha Christie) - This is a more literal use, describing something being completely hidden or erased.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." (Nelson Mandela) - Education has the potential to completely transform the way we think and function, similar to obliterating old ideas.
"You have to fight through the tough times; that's the only way to win." (Babe Ruth) - This quote implies overcoming challenges so significantly that past struggles become irrelevant.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Edmund Burke) - Inaction can allow evil to prevail, potentially leading to complete destruction of good.
"We shall overcome." (Civil Rights Movement slogan) - This slogan implies overcoming immense obstacles and achieving a complete transformation of society.
Etymology
The word "obliterate" comes from the Latin language, even though it doesn't exactly look like it! Here's the breakdown:
The most likely origin is from the Latin word "littera," which means "letter."
Another possibility is from "oblitus," which means "forgotten."
In any case, it was combined with a prefix "ob-" that means "against" or "completely."
The first time we see "obliterate" used in English was around the 1500s. Back then, it meant to erase something completely, like wiping away writing on a page. It might have even referred to erasing something from memory.
Over time, the meaning expanded to include destroying something entirely, leaving no trace behind. So, it went from wiping away letters to wiping something away altogether!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Obliterate
Completely obliterate: This emphasizes the total and utter destruction of something.
Obliterated from memory: This refers to forgetting something completely.
Obliterate the competition: This is a common phrase used in business contexts, meaning to completely outperform your rivals.
Wipe something off the map: This idiom is similar to "obliterate" and means to destroy something so completely that it no longer exists.
Reduce something to rubble: This emphasizes the physical destruction of something, often used in war or disaster contexts.
Leave no stone unturned: This idiom means to search for something very thoroughly, implying that even if it's well hidden, it will be found and potentially "obliterated" (figuratively, in this case).
Posts Related to Obliterate
Source Information
Definition of obliterate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
