obliterated

Everyday

1. Destroyed completely so that nothing is left. tree →
2. Covered or hidden so that it cannot be seen, as in "footprints obliterated by snow". tree →
3. (informal) Beaten very badly in a game. tree →

In the lessons

Used in history and news (cities obliterated by bombs or volcanoes, like Pompeii), in science (asteroids obliterated by impact) and in stories. In sports talk it means a heavy defeat. Phrases: "completely obliterated", "obliterated from memory".

Examples

• The town was obliterated by the volcano. tree →
• Snow obliterated our footprints. tree →
• The meteor was obliterated as it burned up in the atmosphere. tree →
• The old writing on the stone was nearly obliterated. tree →
• We got obliterated 10–0 in the final! (informal) tree →
• The flood obliterated the bridge. tree →
• Her sad memory was obliterated by the happy news. tree →
• A light fall of snow had obliterated all footmarks; and a deathly silence pervaded the island, as if for a space Nature stood still in horror of the recent carnage. tree →

Note

Strong word: stronger than "destroyed". Spelling: ob-lit-er-at-ed (one "b", one "t" before "er"). Noun "obliteration".