Obliterated

/əˈblɪtəreɪtɪd/ verb

Definition

Completely destroyed or wiped out so that nothing remains.

Etymology

From Latin 'oblitteratus' (blotted out), from 'oblitterare' meaning to strike out. The prefix 'ob-' means against, and 'littera' means letter or mark—so originally it meant to erase a written letter.

Kelly Says

The word started as a writing term—erasing letters from a page—but now we use it for massive destruction, from erased cities to forgotten memories, showing how one small erasure can expand to total disappearance.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.