annihilating
Wiping out completely
Annihilating describes something that destroys completely or overwhelms utterly.
An annihilating defeat leaves nothing standing.
An annihilating critique demolishes an argument.
The word carries force beyond merely defeating—it suggests total elimination: The heat was annihilating.
As the present participle of annihilate, it also describes ongoing destruction: Enemy forces were annihilating the village.
Destroy completely
- eradicateDestroy completely, utterly
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
- decimateDestroy a large portion
pulverize · raze · exterminate · disintegrate · shatter · wreckage · demolition · extirpate
End combustion forcibly
- eraseRemove recorded marks
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
- effaceEliminate from view
- abolishOfficially end a practice
nullify · purge · liquidate · remove · root out · stamp out · blot out · wipe out
Complete sum
- utterTo vocalize words
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
- completeLacking nothing, fully done
- thoroughComplete in every detail
wholesale · comprehensive · sweeping · unsparing · ruthless · merciless · relentless · uncompromising
demolish
Destroy completely
- eradicateDestroy completely, utterly
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
decimate · pulverize · raze · exterminate · disintegrate · shatter · wreckage · demolition · extirpate · wipeout
extinguish
End combustion forcibly
abolish · nullify · purge · liquidate · remove · root out · stamp out · blot out · wipe out · snuff out
total
Complete sum
thorough · wholesale · comprehensive · sweeping · unsparing · ruthless · merciless · relentless · uncompromising · devastating
vanquish
Defeat thoroughly in conflict
trounce · overwhelm · dominate · subjugate · overpower · triumph · humiliate · thrash · steamroll · massacre
- eliminatingeliminating, eradicating, wiping out, exterminating, abolishing
- outperformingsurpassing, exceeding, excelling, outperforming, outdoing
annihilatingcreating
Making something new
preserving · saving · protecting · constructing · building
annihilatinglosing
Failing to win
surrendering · capitulating · conceding · forfeiting · submitting
- total annihilationComplete and utter destruction