as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
in a stroke, the March snowstorm obliterated our hopes for an early spring
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Recent Examples of obliterate
Cornflower extract and castor oil soothe and moisturize lids and lashes, while silky silicones help obliterate stubborn makeup.
—
Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
For instance, the state’s wildfires obliterate our climate goals.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Blake’s birthplace at 28 Broad Street has been obliterated by a brown granite tower, a monument to the worldview of the City of Westminster’s postwar planning department, but his influence is everywhere in the other London.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
On Sunday, Maye played in short sleeves, despite a second half that was played inside a snow globe, so much so that the yard lines were mostly obliterated.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obliterate
Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
For instance, the state’s wildfires obliterate our climate goals.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Blake’s birthplace at 28 Broad Street has been obliterated by a brown granite tower, a monument to the worldview of the City of Westminster’s postwar planning department, but his influence is everywhere in the other London.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
On Sunday, Maye played in short sleeves, despite a second half that was played inside a snow globe, so much so that the yard lines were mostly obliterated.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obliterate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliterate
Verb
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The outbreaks have mostly impacted children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.—
Matt Brown,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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The outbreaks have mostly affected children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Josh Safdie’s feverish ping-pong epic, Marty (Timothée Chalamet) breaks from his benefactor, pen tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary), risking everything to erase an old defeat.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hindley, Catherine’s elder brother, is abolished entirely — his vices reassigned to the father.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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Nexstar is seeking a waiver from the FCC from the 39% cap, while the agency is considering whether to raise that threshold or abolish it altogether.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than 12,000 scrolls were once stored inside this second-century center of learning before a fire destroyed them in 262 CE.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliterate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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