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
Relevance
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
Two days after Easter Sunday, the president threatened Iran with annihilation.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Trump’s maximalist style—threaten annihilation, then walk it back, then threaten again—has trained investors to buy the dip on the retreat, because the retreat always comes.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The film ends with the real video of the Israeli girls singing of Gaza’s annihilation.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Further analysis showed that these defect sites enhance a process known as triplet-triplet annihilation, which allows materials to convert lower-energy light into higher-energy light.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for annihilation
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Trump’s maximalist style—threaten annihilation, then walk it back, then threaten again—has trained investors to buy the dip on the retreat, because the retreat always comes.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The film ends with the real video of the Israeli girls singing of Gaza’s annihilation.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Further analysis showed that these defect sites enhance a process known as triplet-triplet annihilation, which allows materials to convert lower-energy light into higher-energy light.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for annihilation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annihilation
Noun
-
One chapter closes, another opens The destruction of several Russian Kamov Ka-52s using drones doesn’t signal the end of the attack helicopter by any means.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The pace of destruction was terrifying.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the devastation, the family has received an outpouring of support from the community, something Jackeline Madrid said reflects who her father was.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In the two years following Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.—
Andrew Jones,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bald eagles have made a strong recovery in Michigan, growing from the edge of extinction with just 52 breeding pairs in the 1960s to about 900 pairs by 2023, Bridge Michigan reported.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
By the early 1940s, it was gone, widely recognized as the first butterfly in North America driven to extinction by human activity.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Since the demolition began, Democrats have mostly used the ballroom project as a political piñata.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Phase three of demolition includes the Kohl’s parcel.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In corresponding moves, left-hander Charlie Barnes and right-hander Yacksel Ríos were called up from Triple-A Iowa and right-hander Vince Velasquez, who threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s loss, was designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Ríos.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Saturday’s defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur was markedly less depressing than the losses in the previous two games.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When the ants come marching in, many of us frantically raid our cabinets and garage shelves for any means of immediate extermination.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
-
When members of the crew begin to die, the line between spectacle and extermination starts to blur.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Annihilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
