obliterate
UK: əˈblɪtəreɪt | US: əˈblɪtəreɪt
vt. to destroy completely; to remove all traces of something
vt. to make unintelligible or invisible (e.g., writing or memory)
obliterate = ob<against> + liter<letter> + ate<verb suffix>
- ob (Latin origin, meaning "against" or "away")
- liter (from Latin littera, meaning "letter" or "writing")
- ate (verb-forming suffix indicating action)
Etymology Origin:
The word obliterate originates from Latin obliteratus, the past participle of obliterare ("to blot out"). It combines ob- (expressing opposition) with littera ("letter"), reflecting the idea of erasing written marks. Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to signify total destruction or eradication beyond just written records.
The hurricane obliterated the coastal town, leaving no buildings standing.
Time had obliterated the faded inscription on the ancient tombstone.
The government attempted to obliterate all evidence of the scandal.
Her memory of the event was nearly obliterated by trauma.
The explosion obliterated the bridge, cutting off the only route to the village.