as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
idealists who seek the annihilation of all forms of prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 annihilation
At the 2026 Biennale, his pavilion will center on the Sufi concept of Fana, the annihilation of self to achieve a collective awakening, and will posit quantum physics as the contemporary counterpart to fifteenth-century Hurufi mysticism.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 2 Mar. 2026
Which is not to say that Bernhard’s protagonist had it wrong but merely that mediocrity, in the realm of literature, is preferable to disregard or annihilation.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
For the scene, which ends with the sunrise and the annihilation of the vampires, director Ryan Coogler submerged the cast and crew in a Louisiana lake.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the US and Russia, also known as START, expired last week, and with it, a long dormant fear of the threat of nuclear annihilation.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for annihilation
News Desk, Artforum, 2 Mar. 2026
Which is not to say that Bernhard’s protagonist had it wrong but merely that mediocrity, in the realm of literature, is preferable to disregard or annihilation.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
For the scene, which ends with the sunrise and the annihilation of the vampires, director Ryan Coogler submerged the cast and crew in a Louisiana lake.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the US and Russia, also known as START, expired last week, and with it, a long dormant fear of the threat of nuclear annihilation.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for annihilation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilation
Noun
-
The Sacramento County Parks Department says there's been a big increase in vandalism and destruction of the nature preserve due to unauthorized use of off-road bicycles and e-bikes.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the day since the fire, Shinneman said the H&R Block branch has already been shown a multitude of kindness from members of the community in the wake of the devastation.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The memoir has struck a chord with readers facing unexpected divorces or other marital devastation.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Rice’s whale is the species closest to the brink of extinction in the Gulf, but other endangered and threatened species live there too, including sea turtles, manatees and whooping cranes.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
According to a report released ahead of the summit, nearly half (49 percent) of all species catalogued by the CMS are showing signs of declining numbers, and nearly one in four are threatened with extinction on a worldwide scale.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Working low to high, causing havoc on the forecheck, getting pucks back.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Wild extremes of temperature, a heat dome, a potent bomb cyclone blizzard, epic rainfalls and violent tornadoes have wreaked weather havoc across the nation.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Monday, cranes and demolition excavators tore down the exhibition hall closest to the Omni Hotel, dismembering parts of the building that will eventually unlock 20 to 30 acres for redevelopment and a new events facility.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Despite strong opposition, demolition is set to begin this week.—
Jennifer Bisram,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That’s high praise from one who has coached four Hall of Famers and several more who are destined to be so, but this team broke an eight-year championship drought last season and, despite the loss of superstar Paige Bueckers, didn’t skip a beat this year.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But the four losses to egregious tankers were inexcusable.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Following the animal’s death and diagnosis, 64 rats that were killed through extermination or found dead on the San Diego Zoo property were examined, and two adult rats were found to be infected with lungworms and associated pneumonia.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
For the safest extermination method, spray the nest after dusk when the wasps are not active.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Annihilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilation. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
