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
wiped out; wiping out; wipes out
: to destroy completely : annihilate
: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control
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
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
At the time, however, it was generally believed that public anger at the new tariffs was a major reason for the G.O.P. wipeout.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In Nigeria alone, more than 3.2 million acres of tree cover have disappeared since 2000 in a global deforestation crisis that has wiped out nearly 1.2 billion acres in two decades.
—Ogar Monday, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
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Noun
Trump’s tariffs are opening new doors to a Democratic political offensive while Republicans fear the administration’s trade war could lead to political wipeout.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
At the time, however, it was generally believed that public anger at the new tariffs was a major reason for the G.O.P. wipeout.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Because banana plants are propagated asexually via rhizome cuttings rather than seeds, entire plantations can be wiped out in a single outbreak, with no genetic bulwark to slow or prevent the pathogen’s advance.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
In Nigeria alone, more than 3.2 million acres of tree cover have disappeared since 2000 in a global deforestation crisis that has wiped out nearly 1.2 billion acres in two decades.
—Ogar Monday, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
Cite this Entry
“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: to destroy completely
crops wiped out by flooding
2
: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control
the surfer wiped out
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