Word: obliterated (verb, past tense of "obliterate")

Associations

"Obliterated" means completely destroyed or wiped out, so nothing is left. It is often used when something is removed in a very strong or total way.

• The building was obliterated by the earthquake. (The building was totally destroyed.)
• His memory of the event was obliterated by time. (The memory disappeared completely.)
• The war obliterated many cities. (Many cities were destroyed during the war.)

A similar word is "destroyed," but "obliterated" usually means more complete or total destruction, often leaving no trace. "Destroyed" can sometimes mean damage but not total removal.

Substitution

Instead of "obliterated," you can say:

• Destroyed – less strong, can mean damaged or ruined.
• Erased – often used for removing marks or memories.
• Annihilated – very strong, means complete destruction, often used for enemies or forces. Each word changes the feeling a little: "obliterated" feels very total and strong.

Deconstruction

"Obliterated" comes from the verb "obliterate."

• Prefix: "ob-" means "against" or "completely."
• Root: "literate" comes from Latin "liberare," meaning "to free," but here it relates to "writing" or "mark."
• Suffix: "-ate" turns it into a verb. Together, "obliterate" means to "wipe out completely," like erasing writing so nothing remains.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when something important to you was "obliterated" or completely gone?
• How would you feel if a memory or a place you loved was obliterated?
• Can "obliterated" be used for small things, or does it work better for big things? Why?