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
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
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
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
After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliteration
Noun
-
Oil prices could soar above $100 over the coming days or weeks if the Iran war continues, analysts said, potentially rising even higher if any destruction of oil infrastructure or transit routes appears long-lasting.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Designed for maximum destruction, heavy-hitter Khorramshahr carries a massive 1,500 kg (3,300-pound) warhead with a 2,000 km (1,240 miles) range.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 1983, O’Brien testified before Congress about the devastation of the disease, which her father had been one of the first celebrities to be diagnosed with.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to unleashing intense winds, Melissa produced catastrophic flooding, destructive storm surge and widespread economic devastation.—
Jacqueline Charles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saudi Arabia has stepped up direct engagement with Iran to try and contain a war in the Middle East that is causing havoc and stressing global markets, according to several European officials.—
Donato Paolo Mancini,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the specter of extinction, either from external or internal means, hovers not just over each of us, but over our whole civilization.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Monarchs now flutter on the threshold of extinction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 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
-
According to the Anne Frank House, 25% of visitors in Amsterdam are from the United States, and American support helped save the building from demolition in the 1950s.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Preservationists, afraid that significant architecture may fall to the wrecking ball, have alleged that Miami Beach’s historic-preservation ordinance essentially allows demolition without city approval.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obliteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliteration. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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