How to pronounce obliterate
Say it like uh-BLIT-uh-rayt. Obliterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obliterate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BLIT
- uh
- rayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obliterate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BLITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- raytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of obliterate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: uh-BLIT-uh-rayt.
What does obliterate mean?
- To destroy (someone or something) completely, leaving no trace; to annihilate, to wipe out.
- To hide (something) by covering it; to conceal, to obscure.“The rainclouds obliterated the sun as they swept across the sky.”
- To make (a drawing, text which is printed or written, etc.) indecipherable, either by erasing or obscuring it; to blot out, to efface, to delete.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with obliterate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obliterate.
Questions about saying obliterate
How do you pronounce obliterate?
Say uh-BLIT-uh-rayt. The American pronunciation is /əˈblɪtəˌreɪt/. In British English it is /əˈblɪtəreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obliterate?
Obliterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BLIT). Broken into parts: uh · BLIT · uh · rayt.
Is obliterate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /əˈblɪtəreɪt/ (uh-BLIT-uh-rayt).