уничтожить (russian) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

ʊˈnʲi.t͡ɕˌto.ʐɨtʲ

Meanings and Usage

The word "уничтожить" in Russian means "to destroy" or "to annihilate." It is a strong and dramatic word used to indicate the complete and irreversible destruction of something or someone. This verb is commonly used in both written and oral contexts, especially in formal language, news reports, literature, and everyday speech. It is a high-frequency word that can be used in various situations to express the act of eliminating or eradicating something.

Verb Forms

• Present: уничтожаю (I destroy)
• Past: уничтожил/уничтожила/уничтожило (destroyed)
• Future: уничтожу (will destroy)

Gerund Form

уничтожая (destroying)

Examples

1. Цель войны была уничтожить вражескую базу.
   (The goal of the war was to destroy the enemy base.)

2. Они решили уничтожить все улики, чтобы не попасть в тюрьму.
   (They decided to destroy all the evidence to avoid going to prison.)

Idiomatic Expressions

"уничтожить" is often used in idiomatic expressions in Russian. Here are some examples:

1. Уничтожить на корню
2. Meaning: To eliminate something completely.

3. Example: Мы должны уничтожить на корню все признаки коррупции.
   (We must eliminate all signs of corruption completely.)

4. Уничтожить в зародыше

5. Meaning: To put an end to something at an early stage.

6. Example: Нам удалось уничтожить в зародыше планы террористов.
   (We managed to put an end to the terrorists' plans at an early stage.)

7. Уничтожить без остатка

8. Meaning: To completely destroy or eradicate.
9. Example: Они обещали уничтожить без остатка все следы преступления.
   (They promised to completely destroy all traces of the crime.)

Etymology

The word "уничтожить" comes from the prefix "у-" (meaning "not" or "away") combined with the verb "ничтожить," which comes from the word "ничто" (nothing, nobody). Therefore, "уничтожить" can be literally translated as "to make into nothing" or "to render into nothing."

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - разрушить (to ruin) - истребить (to exterminate) - убить (to kill)

Antonyms: - создать (to create) - сохранить (to preserve) - защитить (to protect)