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

Capital Economics, a research firm, estimated a $590 billion loss in commercial real estate property values last year, followed by another $480 billion wipeout this year. —Byalena Botros, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Playing Gypsy swing with the Hot Club of SF is still his flagship project, but the group is still getting back on track after the pandemic wipeout, which led Price to look in other pastures. —Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 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