Spanish Conversation · Level 87
60 words
Spanish word
aniquilar
Pronunciation
IPA/anikiˈlaɾ/
Meaning
- verbdestroy
Example
La plaga aniquiló toda la cosecha.
The plague destroyed the entire harvest.
More examples
La cancelación del proyecto aniquiló las esperanzas del equipo.
The cancellation of the project shattered the team's hopes.
Core concept
Total obliteration so nothing remains or functions.
Common phrases
aniquilar las esperanzas
shatter hopes
aniquilar las dudas
shatter doubts
aniquilar un argumento
shatter an argument
Similar words
destruir: Damage or break something beyond repair so it cannot be used or restored.
devastar: Severely ruin a wide area or system, leaving normal life or function disrupted.
liquidar: Remove or finish off an enemy or problem decisively so it no longer exists.
borrar: Erase traces or records so no evidence or record of something remains.
Definition in Spanish
Causar la desaparición total de algo o alguien, de manera que deje de existir o funcionar.
Word origin
From Latin annihilare (ad- 'to' + nihil 'nothing'), meaning 'make into nothing', and Spanish aniquilar preserves that basic sense of reducing something to nonexistence.
Usage tips
- A transitive verb that often takes a before animate direct objects (aniquilar a alguien), and it implies a more absolute, final destruction than destruir.