Meaning of the Word
“Annihilation” refers to the act of completely destroying or obliterating something, often to the point that it no longer exists. It can describe physical destruction or metaphorical elimination.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- The complete destruction or obliteration of something.
- The process of reducing something to nothing or rendering it non-existent.
- In physics, the process where a particle and its antiparticle collide and convert their mass into energy.
History and Origin
The word “annihilation” comes from the Latin annihilare, meaning “to reduce to nothing,” from ad- (to) and nihil (nothing). It first appeared in Middle English around the 15th century and was used to describe the act of reducing something to a state of nothingness. Over time, its usage expanded to include total destruction in physical, emotional, and abstract contexts.
Detailed Explanation
Annihilation is a term used to convey the idea of total destruction or elimination. It often implies an extreme or absolute degree of devastation, leaving no trace of the original object, idea, or entity. For example, it can refer to physical destruction, such as the annihilation of a building during a disaster, or metaphorical destruction, such as the annihilation of hope after a tragedy. In physics, annihilation specifically describes a process where a particle and its corresponding antiparticle collide and transform into energy.
Example Sentences
- The atomic bomb caused the annihilation of entire cities during World War II.
- The forest fire resulted in the annihilation of thousands of acres of woodland.
- The superhero saved the planet from annihilation by stopping the asteroid.
- The debate ended with the annihilation of his opponent’s argument.
- In physics, annihilation occurs when matter and antimatter collide and release energy.
- The annihilation of ancient artifacts during the war was a tragic loss for humanity.
- His confidence faced complete annihilation after failing the critical test.
- The team’s annihilation of their opponents in the championship was unexpected.
- The movie depicted the annihilation of Earth by alien forces.
Synonyms with Short Explanations
- Destruction – The process of causing significant damage to something, often leading to its end.
- Obliteration – The complete removal or erasure of something, leaving no trace behind.
- Eradication – The act of completely getting rid of or eliminating something undesirable.
- Extinction – The state of something ceasing to exist, often used for species or ideas.
- Decimation – Severe destruction or reduction, originally referring to the killing of one in ten.
Related Words with Short Explanations
- Extermination – The deliberate and complete destruction of a group or population.
- Elimination – The act of removing or getting rid of something entirely.
- Ruination – The process of causing ruin or destruction, often less total than annihilation.
- Abolition – The act of formally putting an end to something, such as a practice or system.
- Termination – The act of bringing something to an end, though not always implying total destruction.
More Matches with Short Explanations
- Devastation – Widespread and overwhelming destruction or damage.
- Carnage – Massive destruction, often involving loss of life.
- Demolition – The deliberate destruction of a structure or system.
- Collapse – A sudden and complete failure, often leading to destruction.
- Catastrophe – A disastrous event that can lead to significant annihilation or destruction.
Antonyms
- Creation
- Preservation
- Construction
- Restoration
- Formation