perdition
noun
per·di·tion
pər-ˈdi-shən 
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Perdition began life as a word meaning "utter destruction"; that sense is now archaic, but it provides a clue about the origins of the word. "Perdition" was borrowed into English in the 14th century from Anglo-French perdiciun and ultimately derives from the Latin verb perdere, meaning "to destroy." "Perdere" was formed by combining the prefix per- ("through") and "dare" ("to give"). Other descendants of that Latin dare in English include "date," "edition," "render," and "traitor."
Examples of perdition in a Sentence
sinners condemned to eternal perdition
simple stupidity is not enough to doom one to perdition
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet, the measure was promptly shuffled into the House Rules Committee, where it could be buried to perdition.
—
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Appropriately for a fantasy of perdition suited to this nihilistic century, the logic of eternal punishment remains opaque.
—Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The perdition market did not respond to Newsweek's request for comment asking if an announcement like FanDuel's would follow.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Appropriately for a fantasy of perdition suited to this nihilistic century, the logic of eternal punishment remains opaque.
—Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perdition
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Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Appropriately for a fantasy of perdition suited to this nihilistic century, the logic of eternal punishment remains opaque.
—Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The perdition market did not respond to Newsweek's request for comment asking if an announcement like FanDuel's would follow.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Appropriately for a fantasy of perdition suited to this nihilistic century, the logic of eternal punishment remains opaque.
—Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perdition
Cite this Entry
“Perdition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perdition. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perdition
noun
per·di·tion
pər-ˈdish-ən
1
: eternal damnation
2
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