German word

vernichten

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈnɪçtn̩/

Meaning

  • verbdestroy

Example

Der König vernichtete die Feinde.

The king destroyed the enemies.

Illustration for vernichten (destroy)

More examples

Nach dem Diebstahl versuchten sie, alle elektronischen Daten zu vernichten.

After the theft, they tried to destroy all the electronic data.

Core concept

A target is swept completely off the map, whether it is an army, an object, or an abstract threat.

Common phrases

  • alle Beweise vernichten

    destroy all evidence

  • elektronische Daten vernichten

    destroy electronic data

  • Spuren vernichten

    destroy traces

Similar words

zerstören: To damage a building or object so its structure cannot be restored.
ausrotten: To eradicate a group, species, or disease completely.
auslöschen: To extinguish fire or light, or erase a record completely.
eliminieren: To remove a problem or opponent so it no longer exists.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas vollständig zerstören, sodass nichts mehr übrig bleibt.

Word origin

Middle High German vernihten combined ver- with nicht, historically related to "nothing", expressing the idea of making something into nothing.

Usage tips

  • Vernichten takes an accusative object, as in "die Feinde vernichten" or "eine Gefahr vernichten".

Other meanings

  • exterminateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Vernichtungdestructionnoun
  • vernichtenddevastatingadjective

Word lists with this word