OBLITERATION Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

obliteration

noun

Definition of obliteration

as in destruction

the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless the ill-advised obliteration of the town's historic district in order to make way for a shopping center

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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 obliteration There was Kyle Harrison’s revenge game and Logan Webb’s first true gem of the season; the 19-run outburst and the seven-homer barrage; the walk-off losses and the 14-run obliteration; the introduction of third base coach Gary Pettis and the shocking promotion of outfielder Jonah Cox. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 This was an obliteration, of a player one year his senior. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Yet despite the obliteration of scores of military targets, the regime in Tehran has proved resilient and able to strike its Gulf neighbors. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026 Visitors are stunned seeing the rampant, deliberate obliteration of the character of Hillcrest. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 The Butlerian Jihad ultimately resulted in the obliteration of all thinking machines, as well as a wholesale ban on any new robotic creations. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026 War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that with the near-complete obliteration of the Iranian military, the next phase of the war is to destroy Iran’s arms manufacturing supply chain. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026 The dangerous joy, the glee and courage, the humor in the face of fate, the wild ramble of a life driven towards the artistic heavens and the daily balm of self obliteration. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026 This is well-observed, though the obliteration of the frothiest market themes from their early 2021 peak was far more damaging than anything seen so far this month. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliteration

Noun

Despite the destruction, officials said no injuries had been reported in the city.

— Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Her home was not damaged during the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida in 2024, but many people close to her experienced flooding and other destruction to their homes, businesses and schools.

— Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of destruction

Noun

The story is set in 1940 amid the bombings and devastation of World War II in Europe.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Long-term survivors embody both the devastation of the early epidemic and the gains made possible by decades of scientific, clinical, and community effort.

— Jeff Berry, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastation

Noun

His worldview has brought nothing but havoc to Americans, whereas Parton provided a guidebook for a national redemption.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
After a stop in the NFL, former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of havoc

Noun

The results from Taiwan show that an effective health system and a modest budget can push hepatitis C to the edge of extinction in five years.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird once pushed to the brink of extinction in the United States, has recovered enough to be taken off the endangered species list.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of extinction

Noun

Kahleah Copper had 38 points for the Mercury (13-24), who were in the WNBA Finals last season, but were eliminated from the playoff chase with the loss.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
On a night that featured plenty of highlights, from Blade Tidwell’s strong start to Dylan Smith’s gutsy relief appearance to Andrew Knizner’s big night, San Francisco couldn’t avoid its 11th walk-off loss of the season.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

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“Obliteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliteration. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obliteration

noun

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