annihilation

noun

ə-ˌnī-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce annihilation (audio)
Definition of annihilationnext
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

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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 Whether Perfecth is a liberating exercise in artistic freedom or an outright fanbase-annihilation maneuver remains to be seen. — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026 The vision of a utopian domestic future took a strange turn during the Cold War, marrying the breathless excitement of the space age with the existential dread of nuclear annihilation. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 And yet, at the time, we were threatened with annihilation by three Arab armies that were about to invade us. — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026 The international cooperation that Kirchwey and Bernal called for was swallowed within months by the politics of the Cold War, which would end up bringing the world to the brink of annihilation more than once. — Richard Kreitner, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for annihilation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilation
  1. destruction
  2. devastation
  3. extinction
  4. havoc
  5. demolition
  6. loss
  7. extermination
Noun
  • Today on the show, Planet Money goes inside the destruction lab to see that high octane experimentation in action and to learn about how the insurance industry has been quietly shaping the world around us for over a century.
    — Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The use of new production technologies also requires a degree of creative destruction that Beijing’s own industrial policy interventions have inhibited.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • The devastation wreaked on the Republican Party last week was simply astounding, with their candidates losing in just about every place and every spot up and down ballot.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • And as Japan rebuilds from both wartime devastation and from Godzilla’s rampage through various cities, including Tokyo, a new threat arrives from outer space—and this one can fly.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • In the early 19th century, California’s sea otters were hunted to the brink of extinction, the unparalleled softness and value of their fur drawing fur trappers all the way from Russia into California.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The timing has raised questions about whether the environmental changes following that extinction helped the fungus’s ancestors thrive.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the war has wreaked global havoc with no end in sight.
    — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In December 2004 such a wave swept over Earth, causing some havoc.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Pan Am’s Miami headquarters first opened in 1964, sat empty for 15 years, and was slated for demolition before PS restored it.
    — Lauren Harano, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • According to The Real Deal, demolition permits have been sought for the sites, and the city has approved the removal of several structures, including homes and guesthouses.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III’s assignment was to rush the passer on the most pivotal play of the Jayhawks’ 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Not all signal losses are the same Most consumer drones rely on several communication and navigation systems working together.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of loss
Noun
  • The extermination company Terminix ranked 50 cities in the United States with the worst rodent infestations and Sacramento is on the list.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For properties other than single-family homes and duplexes, the statute addresses reasonable provisions for clean and safe common areas along with services such as garbage removal and extermination of certain pests.
    — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of extermination

Browse Nearby Words

annihilating
annihilation
annihilations
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Cite this Entry

“Annihilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilation. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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