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
Bernard Condon, Fortune, 22 June 2025
Still, in the days to come, his expletive will be repeated in millions of family rooms across the country as the Dow experienced its biggest wipeout since 2020.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Carey Baraka, The Dial, 26 June 2025
For one thing, the same nuclear powers these countries are seeking to deter—China, Russia, and North Korea—could decide to wipe out any emerging nuclear programs in a preventive attack.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
And investors are on edge after a $150 billion stock wipeout when Musk picked a social media fight with a U.S. president overseeing federal car regulators who could make the robotaxi rollout much more difficult.
—Bernard Condon, Fortune, 22 June 2025
Still, in the days to come, his expletive will be repeated in millions of family rooms across the country as the Dow experienced its biggest wipeout since 2020.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Spanish crown then imposed its language on the subjects, wiping out or nearly wiping out other languages in the process.
—Carey Baraka, The Dial, 26 June 2025
For one thing, the same nuclear powers these countries are seeking to deter—China, Russia, and North Korea—could decide to wipe out any emerging nuclear programs in a preventive attack.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
Cite this Entry
“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 6 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share