wipeout

1 of 2

noun

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

wipe out

2 of 2

verb

wiped out; wiping out; wipes out

transitive verb

: to destroy completely : annihilate

intransitive verb

: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control

Synonyms

Verb

• abolish
• annihilate
• black out
• blot out
• cancel
• clean (up)
• efface
• eradicate
• erase
• expunge
• exterminate
• extirpate
• liquidate
• obliterate
• root (out)
• rub out
• snuff (out)
• stamp (out)
• sweep (away)

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

Noun

The impact: Moderna's stock fell over 12% Thursday, having tumbled from its all-time high above $449 in September 2021 — a wipeout of nearly $170 billion of market value over the three years. —Nathan Bomey, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024

But don’t feel too sorry for Arnault: Despite the latest wipeout, the 75-year-old still has $182 billion to his name, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 16 Oct. 2024

Verb

Early voting is often critical in the state, and registered Republicans appear to have wiped out the advantage Democrats enjoyed four years ago. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

During the California Gold Rush, San Francisco was almost wiped out by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids 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 verb

1

: to destroy completely

crops wiped out by flooding

2

: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control

the surfer wiped out