Annihilatory is a word that is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is still important to understand its definition and meaning. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the term, including its definitions, origins, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
The term annihilatory is an adjective that relates to the act of annihilating or destroying something completely. It is often used to describe a process or action that results in the complete eradication of something, whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological.
Origin
The word annihilatory is derived from the Latin word “annihilare,” which means to reduce to nothing. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century and has been used ever since to describe the complete destruction of something.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of annihilatory is consistent across different dictionaries. For example, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term as “tending to or capable of annihilating,” while the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “causing complete destruction.”
Associations
The term annihilatory is often associated with violent or destructive actions, such as war, genocide, or natural disasters. It can also be associated with emotional or psychological destruction, such as the annihilation of one’s self-esteem or sense of identity.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for annihilatory, including destructive, devastating, ruinous, and catastrophic. These words all convey the same sense of complete destruction or annihilation.
Antonyms
The antonyms of annihilatory include constructive, creative, and productive. These words describe actions or processes that result in the creation or improvement of something, rather than its destruction.
The same root words
The root word of annihilatory is “annihilate,” which means to completely destroy or obliterate something. Other words derived from this root include annihilation, annihilator, and annihilative.
Example Sentences
- The hurricane was so powerful that it caused annihilatory damage to the entire town.
- The dictator’s regime was known for its annihilatory tactics against political dissidents.
- The therapist helped the patient overcome the annihilatory effects of childhood trauma.
- The company’s new CEO implemented a series of constructive changes that led to increased profits.
- The artist’s creative vision was a stark contrast to the annihilatory themes present in much of contemporary art.