"Annihilate" means to completely destroy or eliminate something, leaving no trace behind. This term is often used in contexts such as warfare, where one side may aim to annihilate the opposing forces. It can also apply to ideas or concepts that are thoroughly debunked or dismissed. In science, particularly in physics, annihilation refers to a process where a particle and its antiparticle collide and convert their mass into energy. A common example is the annihilation of an electron and a positron, resulting in the release of gamma-ray photons. This phenomenon illustrates the powerful relationship between matter and energy.