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 For this poet, the first place of childhood and language is his village in the South, a place that has continued to exist in defiance of some of the most brutal forces of occupation, aggression, and now unabashed annihilation. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 The Hessian mercenaries hired by the British to assist in the annihilation of the Continental Army were taking no prisoners. — Paul Callahan, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his far-right government of Jewish supremacists launched a war of annihilation right back. — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 In the early days of the US and Israeli war on Iran, situation monitors were abuzz at the revelation that the Pentagon had used top large language models to identify targets for annihilation via air strikes. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 18 June 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
  • Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • Alfonzo’s younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, have been missing since last month when earthquakes caused widespread devastation in his home country of Venezuela.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Yet amid the devastation, what stands out is the determination of ordinary Venezuelans.
    — James Longman, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • Although this is likely an underestimate, due to insufficient data on more than half of North America's firefly species, at least 18 species are officially listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as threatened with extinction.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The fossils date to the Paleocene Epoch, the first 10 million years after the end-Cretaceous extinction, during which mammals rapidly diversified as ecosystems slowly recovered.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • The beloved southern elephant seal, Neil the Seal, is back in Tasmania, causing havoc yet again and garnering fans through his antics.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Those same issues have ships and planes on high alert in the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict across the region is causing havoc for civilian applications like ride-hailing and food delivery.
    — Mariam Sorond, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • The Robeson site developer ultimately began demolition on that site over the winter, so the city did not have to carry out receivership there.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Project Purple is being built about two years after the demolition of Kingda Ka, the park's iconic launch coaster that stood 456 feet tall before it was removed in early 2025.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • The congregation started to arrive at the usual time, about half an hour before Mass on a recent Saturday afternoon, the old church slowly filling with the descendants and caretakers of a place of great serenity but also great loss.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Fireflies are facing growing challenges from habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change and light pollution.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of loss
Noun
  • Some pest control companies might include them in general pest control, whereas others include them in higher-tier plans or offer rat and mouse extermination as an add-on specialty service.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Many extermination companies offer professional spraying services and can send an expert to your house to evaluate the issue.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
Definition of extermination

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annihilating
annihilation
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Cite this Entry

“Annihilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on annihilation

Nglish: Translation of annihilation for Spanish Speakers

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