# annihilate

/əˈnaɪəˌɫeɪt/ (US) · /ɐnˈaɪəlˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/annihilate
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.