1.
obliteration; erasure; wiping out
Completely eliminating or erasing something from existence or record. While it can refer to physical killing, it more commonly means erasing someone's presence, contributions, or existence from memory, history, or records.
事実を抹殺してはならない。
Facts must not be erased.
彼の功績は歴史から抹殺された。
His achievements were obliterated from history.
個人の意見を抹殺するような組織は健全とは言えない。
An organization that suppresses individual opinions cannot be called healthy.
USAGE:
抹殺 literally combines 抹 (to erase/wipe) and 殺 (to kill). While it can mean literal killing, it is more commonly used figuratively to mean erasing or suppressing something — facts, opinions, achievements, or someone's existence from the record. It carries a strong, dramatic tone and is common in political, historical, and literary contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 事実を抹殺する: to suppress facts
- 歴史から抹殺する: to erase from history
- 存在を抹殺する: to obliterate someone's existence
- 人格抹殺: character assassination