annihilatory

adjective

Definition of annihilatorynext
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction the annihilatory power of atomic bombs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilatory
  1. devastating
  2. destructive
  3. disastrous
Adjective
  • Released in 2025, the first part of Julia Loktev’s monumental documentary project My Undesirable Friends, subtitled Last Air in Moscow, gave us a sprawling, breathless look at a few devastating months in the lives of Russian journalists.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Levine Cava’s budget called them low-ridership bus routes, but transit advocates said service loss would be devastating for riders who use them.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • Those three for-profit utilities have caused at least seven of California’s 20 most destructive fires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities in Spokane, Washington arrested 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire in early August, which became one of the most destructive wildfires in that state's history.
    — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of destructive
Adjective
  • Arjun Poudel, a health reporter in Nepal, was commuting to the offices of the Kathmandu Post, in the country’s capital, when messages started coming in about a disastrous flood in his home town, close to the border with China.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Since a disastrous debut, the rookie right-hander has allowed just two runs over his last 9 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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annihilatory
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Cite this Entry

“Annihilatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilatory. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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