The term "obliterate" derives from the Latin obliterāre, meaning "to blot out or cause to be forgotten". It is formed from ob- ("against") and littera ("letter"), initially implying the erasure of writing. Over time, its scope expanded to mean the total removal of anything from existence or memory.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the verb "obliterate" was first used in English in the mid 1500s, specifically 1548. 

Examples of "obliterate" used in a sentence:  
"The missile strike wast devastating - the target was totally obliterated." 
"All of a sudden the view was obliterated by the fog." 
"Maybe she gets drunk to obliterate painful memories." 
"The clouds and rain obliterated the moonlight and sealed in the effect of the weather."
"They would all be obliterated as part of a source-of-funds move."
"The late-night host then obliterated a donut by shoving one of his hands through the hole."

Just the facts:

OBLITERATE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

OBLITERATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus