blackout 1 of 2

noun

ˈblak-ˌau̇t How to pronounce blackout (audio)
Definition of blackoutnext
as in daze
a temporary state of unconsciousness even though you experienced only a brief blackout, you still ought to be checked by a doctor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

black out

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of had spent most of her adulthood trying to black out memories of a wretched childhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to darken
to grow dark with the delivery of the knockout punch, the screen blacks out, and in the next scene the boxer wakes up in the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to faint
to lose consciousness blacked out after hitting her head on the beam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blackout
Noun
The actual blast of the ram’s horn is loud, but not loud enough to rouse me from my stress blackout. — Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 In other communities that have installed a new grinder pump system, Oliver said they are connected to a community generator system that kicks in if a blackout occurs. — Christin Lazerus, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Records that were released, including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents, were either already public or heavily blacked out, and many lacked necessary context. — Savannah Peters, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 This curtain type is airy, casual, and gives your windows a sense of place and structure without feeling stuffy—or completely blacking out the sunshine during golden hour. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blackout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackout
  1. daze
  2. eradicate
  3. darken
  4. faint
  5. trance
  6. erase
  7. dusk
  8. syncope
Noun
  • Everyone in town seemed to walk through that day in a daze; Leslie’s name was spoken in hushed whispers.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • Golden mussels can eradicate fish populations and erode delta habitats, and California farmers could lose their water.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Now, there is a constant obsession over energy levels and management that has eradicated the previous ‘flat out’ approach to racing.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Verb
  • However, they can be ordered with Transitions lenses that darken outdoors and clear up inside.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The title references Black Like Me, white journalist John Howard Griffin’s 1961 nonfiction book about darkening his skin to pass for Black in the Jim Crow South.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of darken
Verb
  • Southern Living also noted the presence of Tennessee Fainting Goats, which faint with all the drama of a woman who needs the British seaside.
    — Eva Flowe August 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Their children, meanwhile, were euphoric about this ghoulish interruption to their day, although some experienced nausea, and the theater kids, who felt things deeply, wept and fainted, or did their best to faint.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of faint
Noun
  • Paulina Prosnitz Back to the issue Welcome Wings Traveling to Greece last summer was a dreamlike trance of crystal-clear waters, skinny European cigarettes, and endless tzatziki.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Though the faith and worship systems of the time are largely unknown, researchers believe this rock art may depict a group in a trance state.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of trance
Verb
  • But some say that doesn't erase concerns about how the technology can be used.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As an example, Toyota did not dominate the automobile era simply by building a better engine, nor could competitors erase its advantage merely by sourcing comparable components.
    — Bratin Saha, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of erase
Verb
  • With minimal humidity, near-perfect clear-sky frequency and vast empty horizons, Namibia offers the kind of slow, immersive darkness that makes dusking feel less like a trend and more like a return to something ancient.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
  • The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.
    — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • The company also flags baseline cardiac disease, abnormal ECG, arrhythmia, prior cervical vagotomy, abnormal cervical anatomy, brain tumor or aneurysm history, head trauma, syncope, seizures and nickel allergy as unevaluated risks.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
  • Vasovagal syncope is defined by the British National Health Service as a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of syncope

Browse Nearby Words

blackness
blackout
black out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blackout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackout. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on blackout

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blackout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All