Usage Note
Aniquilar implies total destruction — leaving nothing behind — making it stronger than destruir (to destroy) or eliminar (to eliminate). It is used both in military contexts and hyperbolically in everyday speech. The noun form is la aniquilación and the related adjective is aniquilador (annihilating).
Examples
"El incendio aniquiló el bosque por completo."
Natural Translation
The fire wiped out the forest completely.
Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic
