wipeout

1 of 2

noun

wipe·​out ˈwīp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce wipeout (audio)
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

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
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.
Noun
This wipeout erased over $800 billion in market value, the steepest drop Tesla has seen in years. Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 The stock’s wipeout has caused Musk’s net worth to plunge by more than $150 billion so far this year. Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
The rout extended a miserable month for markets that has seen all three major indexes wipe out their gains since the US presidential election in November. John Towfighi, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 His total net worth is down $121 billion from its peak in December, when the company had a market capitalization well in excess of $1 trillion — the gains of a post-election rally wiped out entirely, with the stock price tumbling 38 percent just since Trump’s inauguration. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wipeout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wipeout was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

wipeout

1 of 2 noun
wipe·​out ˈwīp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce wipeout (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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