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
Tom Brown, Space.com, 28 June 2025
This is all coming in context of a tech wipeout Monday amid widespread — and growing — recession fears, which drove the Nasdaq down 4% on the day.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025
Two major climate disasters of 2025 — the Texas flooding that killed more than 100 people and the L.A. wildfires in January that resulted in 30 deaths and wiped out more than 15,000 homes and businesses — highlight the struggles officials face in fully preparing for extreme weather conditions.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wipeout
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Noun
The worst-case scenario is Kessler syndrome, a chain reaction in which the breakup of a few satellites cascades into a wipeout of everything in orbit.
—Tom Brown, Space.com, 28 June 2025
This is all coming in context of a tech wipeout Monday amid widespread — and growing — recession fears, which drove the Nasdaq down 4% on the day.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Severe weather in recent years has also strained local farms, at times wiping out entire crops at once.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025
Two major climate disasters of 2025 — the Texas flooding that killed more than 100 people and the L.A. wildfires in January that resulted in 30 deaths and wiped out more than 15,000 homes and businesses — highlight the struggles officials face in fully preparing for extreme weather conditions.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 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 18 Jul. 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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