annihilative
|an-ni-hi-la-tive|
/əˈnaɪəˌleɪtɪv/
(annihilate)
complete destruction
Etymology
'annihilative' is formed in English from the verb 'annihilate' + the adjectival suffix '-ive', meaning 'tending to or causing annihilation'.
'annihilate' entered English from Latin 'annihilare' (Late Latin), itself from 'ad-' + 'nihil' ('nothing'); the adjective 'annihilative' was later formed in English from that verb.
Initially rooted in the Latin sense 'to reduce to nothing', it has retained that core idea but broadened to figurative senses such as 'overwhelming' or 'decisive'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
causing or capable of causing complete destruction or obliteration.
The scientists warned that the experiment had an annihilative potential if containment failed.
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Adjective 2
figuratively, overwhelmingly defeating or nullifying (an opponent, idea, or effect).
The court's annihilative ruling left the precedent effectively meaningless.
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Last updated: 2025/08/15 21:22