Bad: obliverate
Good: obliterate

This may be a way to remember this word. When you want to obliterate someone in a debate you do so by a superior argument. This can be achieved by studying a topic out. This means reading and studying about the topic. You become literate on the topic. Thus literate is part of the word obliterate.

Have a better idea to remember this word please provide input in the comment section of this blog.