Word
annihilate
Phoneticsan·ni·hi·late, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈnaɪəˌɫeɪt/
UK/ɐnˈaɪəlˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to destroy something completely, leaving nothing left. In math, it means to cancel out a number or a term so it has no effect on the result.
v. to destroy or obliterate completely; to eliminate a mathematical term or expression from an equation by means of an inverse operation. Often used in the context of algebra to describe the cancellation of terms.
Examples
“The two negative numbers annihilate each other in the equation.”
“When you add a number to its negative counterpart, they annihilate each other and the result is zero.”
“In advanced algebra, certain operators are designed to annihilate specific components of a tensor, effectively reducing the dimensionality of the system without losing essential information.”
Examples
simple
“The two negative numbers annihilate each other in the equation.”
contextual
“When you add a number to its negative counterpart, they annihilate each other and the result is zero.”
complex
“In advanced algebra, certain operators are designed to annihilate specific components of a tensor, effectively reducing the dimensionality of the system without losing essential information.”
Real-World Examples
“This powerful dream sequence shows Sarah and the rest of Los Angeles utterly annihilated by a nuclear blast.” “Still, in his view, American society has made headway in forming partnerships and accommodating different outlooks on the issue, instead of attempting to annihilate the wolves, like in the past.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin annihilātus, perfect passive participle of annihilō (“to reduce to nothing”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ad (“to”) + nihil (“nothing”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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