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

The deadly wall of water that descended from the mountains on the border between Nepal and Tibet caused destruction at least 62 miles downriver from the border in Nepal, an ABC News analysis of verified video and satellite images shows.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of destruction

Noun

For France, long accustomed to wildfires along arid stretches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the devastation in Le Porge has yielded rare consensus that its fire safety system is not up to fighting mega-fires brought on by climate change.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 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

In 2023, Gates, along with Suleyman, Hassabis, and hundreds of other tech and policy leaders, signed a statement saying the risk of extinction from AI should be treated as a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Free mall parking is the latest complimentary perk on the verge of extinction.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of extinction

Noun

Mayer’s three professional defeats have now all come in England, following split-decision losses to Alycia Baumgardner in London in 2022 and Natasha Jonas in Liverpool in 2024.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
After missing the playoffs in 2025, Martin started off on a great note, handing a solid Mansfield program a 38-35 loss.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

Noun

Barlow credits that at least partially to the demolition of the Timothy Cheney House, a landmark mansion on East Center Street since the early 1700s.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Miami Beach today may be filled with newcomers, cranes and construction, deals and demolitions.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of demolition

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“Obliteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliteration. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of obliteration

noun

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