The word "obliterated" is spelled with three syllables: /əˈblɪtəreɪtɪd/. The first syllable, "o", is pronounced with the short vowel sound /ə/. The second syllable, "blit", includes the consonant blend /bl/ and the short vowel sound /ɪ/. The third syllable, "erated", includes the long vowel sound /eɪ/, represented by the letters "er" followed by the "ate" suffix. This word means to completely destroy or erase something and is often used in the context of war or destruction.
Obliterated is an adjective that describes something that has been completely destroyed or wiped out, rendering it unrecognizable or non-existent. It conveys the idea of complete annihilation or eradication, leaving virtually no trace or evidence of the original state.
The term is often used to describe the aftermath of violent or catastrophic events, such as a natural disaster, a war, or a devastating explosion. In such cases, the devastating force and impact of the event cause buildings, structures, or landscapes to be obliterated, leaving only ruins or debris in their wake. The level of destruction is so severe that it seems as if the affected area has been erased or obliterated from existence.
Obliterated also carries a metaphorical meaning, referring to the obliteration or complete erasure of an idea, a memory, or a concept. For instance, a person's memory of a traumatic event could be said to be obliterated if they are unable to recall any details or if the memory has been entirely suppressed.
In summary, obliterated describes the total destruction or elimination of something, whether it be physical structures, landscapes, memories, or concepts. It emphasizes the drastic and irreversible nature of the destruction, implying a sense of complete eradication or annihilation.
Effaced; worn out.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "obliterated" comes from the Latin word "obliteratus", which is the past participle of the verb "obliterare". The Latin term is derived from the combination of the prefix "ob-" meaning "completely" or "against", and the verb "literare" meaning "to write". So, the literal meaning of "obliterare" is "to erase or remove writing completely". Over time, the term "obliterate" has been adopted into English, where it signifies the act of destroying or wiping out completely.