obliterate

 
Pronunciation: /əˈblɪtəreɪt/

verb

[with object]
  • destroy utterly; wipe out: the memory was so painful that he obliterated it from his mind
  • make invisible or indistinct; conceal or cover: clouds were darkening, obliterating the sun
  • cancel (something, especially a postage stamp) to prevent further use: the special stamp should be placed on the left-hand side and not be used to obliterate the postage stamp

Derivatives

obliterative

Pronunciation: /-rətɪv/
adjective

obliterator

noun

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin obliterat- 'struck out, erased', from the verb obliterare, based on littera 'letter, something written'