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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliteration
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
The obliteration of both Iran’s nuclear facilities and the foreign terrorist cartels traversing the Gulf of America are clear evidence of the president's success.
—Brian Mast, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Consider how his statement complicates everything we’ve been told to believe about the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s military obliteration of Gaza does not result in total triumph.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
The app and his ears were the only things protecting him against the prospect of sudden obliteration by a 100,000-metric-ton bulk carrier.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
The obliteration of both Iran’s nuclear facilities and the foreign terrorist cartels traversing the Gulf of America are clear evidence of the president's success.
—Brian Mast, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Consider how his statement complicates everything we’ve been told to believe about the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s military obliteration of Gaza does not result in total triumph.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
The app and his ears were the only things protecting him against the prospect of sudden obliteration by a 100,000-metric-ton bulk carrier.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliteration
Noun
-
Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Though once vital to the economy of the American territory, Puerto Rico’s sugar plantations evolved to represent the destruction and exploitation of colonialism that continues to impact the region today—a detail not lost on those cast as grass.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi and the Sudanese American poet Safia Elhillo described the devastation of their homelands.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The conflict that ended in 1992 resulted in the deaths of 75,000 civilians, forced more than a million Salvadorans to flee the country and caused severe economic devastation for those who remained.—
Yamlek Mojica,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ebba Andersson tumbled and snapped the ski binding in the second leg, giving Norway the advantage on a day where warm weather caused slushy corners that created havoc in the early stages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Three minutes of comedy chasing and evasive action ensued before play resumed, only for the four-legged fiend to return to wreak more havoc than the home attack had previously shown.—
Craig Chisnall,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For people accustomed to the idea that nature was eternal and unchanging, Holmes observes, the idea of extinction was profoundly troubling.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Starship launches from Starbase Musk has often spoken about his vision of colonizing other worlds in our solar system to ensure humanity's survival in the event of an extinction-level even on Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Well, at least there’s a Super Bowl ad that addresses the frustration many may be feeling, courtesy of the company that provides pills for hair loss, weight loss and libido loss.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Payton’s longtime assistant, Lombardi was fired a few days after the Broncos’ AFC Championship Game loss.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The site is slated for demolition and redevelopment into Mae Street Village.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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The gift from Zuckerberg and Meta will fund abatement, demolition, and initial construction of the campus, enabling new student housing alongside new academic spaces, including STEM facilities and an AI center.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliteration. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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