wipe·out
ˈwīp-ˌau̇t 
1
: the act or an instance of wiping out : complete or utter destruction
2
: a fall or crash caused usually by losing control
3
: a total or decisive defeat : drubbing
wiped out; wiping out; wipes out
: to destroy completely : annihilate
: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control
Synonyms
Examples of wipeout in a Sentence
Noun
The surfer had a nasty wipeout.
Verb
he didn't get his gambling under control until he had already wiped out his entire life savings
Recent Examples on the Web
John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
His fastball is mostly 94-97 mph with a wipeout slider.
—Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 13 July 2024
Matt Egan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Because laying hens are so susceptible to the H5N1 virus, which can wipe out entire flocks within days of the first infection, egg producers have been on the frontline in the fight against various bird flu strains for years now.
—Kate Wells, NPR, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wipeout 
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Noun
Before the wipeout, the flock laid around 2,000 eggs per week, which the owners sold on their online marketplace.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
His fastball is mostly 94-97 mph with a wipeout slider.
—Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 13 July 2024
Verb
Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, along with those countries’ retaliatory tariffs, could wipe out 1.5 percentage points from US gross domestic product growth (GDP) in 2025 and another 2.1 percentage points in 2026, according to estimates by EY chief economist Gregory Daco.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Because laying hens are so susceptible to the H5N1 virus, which can wipe out entire flocks within days of the first infection, egg producers have been on the frontline in the fight against various bird flu strains for years now.
—Kate Wells, NPR, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wipeout
Dictionary Entries Near wipeout
Cite this Entry
“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wipeout
1 of 2 noun
wipe·out
ˈwīp-ˌau̇t
1
: complete destruction
2
: a fall or crash caused usually by losing control
wipeouts on the downhill ski course are common
3
: total or final defeat
couldn't bear to watch the team's wipeout
wipe out
2 of 2 verb1
: to destroy completely
crops wiped out by flooding
2
: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control
the surfer wiped out
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