Obliteration means total destructionthe act of damaging or ruining something so it no longer exists or wipingremoving or eliminating everything from a place or situation something out completely. It is used when something is destroyed so thoroughlyin a complete and careful way, with nothing left undone that little or nothing remains.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɑːblɪtəˈreɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: ahb-lih-tuh-RAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the fourth syllable, RAY.
Noun meaning complete destruction; wiping something out.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Obliteration Meaning
complete destruction; wiping something out
Part of speech: noun
Definition: destruction by annihilating something
Example: The building was reduced to obliteration in the explosion.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- annihilation — A close match for total destruction.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Obliteration
Meaning 2
making something disappear entirely; removing all traces
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the complete destruction of every trace of something
Example: The campaign aimed at the obliteration of the disease.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- eradication — Best fit when the meaning is removing something completely, especially a disease, problem, or harmful practice.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Obliteration Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- annihilation
complete removal or wiping out of every trace
- eradication
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use obliteration for ordinary damage, but it usually means much more than simple destruction.
- Do not confuse obliteration with erosion or wear, which happen gradually rather than all at once.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does obliteration mean?
Obliteration means total destruction or complete wiping out. It suggests that almost no trace of the thing remains.
What are synonyms for obliteration?
Common synonyms include annihilation and eradication, depending on the sense. Annihilation fits the idea of total destruction, while eradication fits removing every trace of something.
Is obliteration a strong word?
Yes. It is a strong word used for complete or near-complete destruction, not minor damage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.