# obliterate

/əˈbɫɪtɝˌeɪt/ (US) · /əblˈɪtəɹˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obliterate
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

to destroy something completely so that it is no longer visible or exists at all. You use this when talking about things like buildings, memories, or even small parts of the body.

For teachers: to destroy or remove something completely, leaving no trace or evidence of its former existence. Often used in medical contexts to describe the removal of tissue or in historical contexts to describe the total destruction of a site.

## Examples

- The fire almost obliterated the entire forest.
- The surgeon performed a procedure to obliterate the varicose veins, ensuring they would no longer be visible or cause pain.
- The massive earthquake was so powerful that it threatened to obliterate the coastal village, though emergency services managed to save the historic church from total ruin.

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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.