Annihilation means complete destructionthe act of damaging or ruining something so it no longer exists or wipingremoving or eliminating something completely something out entirely. It is a strong word used when something is destroyed so thoroughlyin a very complete and careful way, leaving no part untouched that little or nothing remains.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌænəˈleɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: an-uh-LAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on LAY; secondary stress on the first syllable.
Noun meaning total destruction; complete wiping out.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Annihilation Meaning
complete destruction; something being wiped out entirely
Part of speech: noun
Definition: total destruction
Example: The bomb tests led to the annihilation of the atoll.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- disintegration — Can fit this sense, though it often suggests something breaking apart rather than being wiped out completely.
- obliteration — A strong match for complete destruction.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Annihilation
Meaning 2
the act of destroying something completely
Part of speech: noun
Definition: destruction by annihilating something
Example: The campaign aimed at the annihilation of the enemy force.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- obliteration — Works as an action noun here, though it is also used for the result of destruction.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Annihilation Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- obliteration
- disintegration
the act of destroying something completely
- obliteration
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use annihilation for general damage or heavy loss, but it usually means complete destruction.
- It is not the same as simple defeat or defeat in a game; it suggests something being wiped out entirely.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does annihilation mean?
Annihilation means complete destruction or being wiped out entirely.
What are some synonyms for annihilation?
Strong synonyms include obliteration and, in some contexts, disintegration.
Is annihilation the same as destruction?
It is stronger than destruction. It usually means total or near-total destruction.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.