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
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
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 May 2026
As faux-broadcasters played by Chevy Chase and Jane Curtain did play-by-play coverage over stock footage of actual skiing wipeouts, the sound of a gunshot was overdubbed just as the athletes fell.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Well, some ardently claim that AI is going to wipe out the field of computer science.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
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.
Noun
The brutal wipeout required more than 100 stitches — and tentatively ended Johnson’s professional surfing ambitions.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 May 2026
As faux-broadcasters played by Chevy Chase and Jane Curtain did play-by-play coverage over stock footage of actual skiing wipeouts, the sound of a gunshot was overdubbed just as the athletes fell.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Verb
Before the transplant, Sullivan underwent high-intensity chemotherapy designed to wipe out the cancer completely.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Well, some ardently claim that AI is going to wipe out the field of computer science.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
Cite this Entry
“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
