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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Recent Examples of obliteration
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
But if the obliteration lasted only half a year, what value is there in re-obliterating it?
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 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
The obliteration of both Iran’s nuclear facilities and the foreign terrorist cartels traversing the Gulf of America are clear evidence of the president's success.
—Brian Mast, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Consider how his statement complicates everything we’ve been told to believe about the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s military obliteration of Gaza does not result in total triumph.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
The app and his ears were the only things protecting him against the prospect of sudden obliteration by a 100,000-metric-ton bulk carrier.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
But if the obliteration lasted only half a year, what value is there in re-obliterating it?
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 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
The obliteration of both Iran’s nuclear facilities and the foreign terrorist cartels traversing the Gulf of America are clear evidence of the president's success.
—Brian Mast, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Consider how his statement complicates everything we’ve been told to believe about the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s military obliteration of Gaza does not result in total triumph.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
The app and his ears were the only things protecting him against the prospect of sudden obliteration by a 100,000-metric-ton bulk carrier.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliteration
Noun
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Washington has no answer to any of these questions – only a theory of destruction.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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First there was Alexander Bublik, whaling his racket into the green court behind the baseline against Rinky Hijikata with abandon and devastation.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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The balance Jean strikes between devastation and liberation emphasizes the appreciation one brings to the other.—
Larisha Paul,
VIBE.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Originally a 16th-round pick out of the University of Washington in 2021, Ward has set himself apart throughout his minor league career for his ability to get on base and cause havoc.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Numerous types of nematodes and pests can create havoc with a carrot crop, especially those that love carrot roots.—
Haniya Rae,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If not stopped it has the potential to cause an extinction-level global ice age.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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To save men’s basketball without putting football on a road to extinction was thought to be impossible in June 2018, by which time Dan Hurley was hired to replace Ollie, when UConn joined the Big East.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg was assessed the first technical foul of his NBA career during Dallas’ loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Detroit is in the middle of a rough patch with four straight losses, but still holds the East’s top record at 45-18.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.—
ALLEN G. BREED,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliteration. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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