壊滅

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Written 壊滅 and read かいめつ, it denotes destruction so severe that a group, area, or population can scarcely function or survive.
• Basic usage: It applies to farmland devastated by a storm and to measures intended to eliminate a pest population.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Stronger than partial damage
  • The word indicates near-total collapse or elimination, not merely that some harm occurred.