oblivion

[ uh-bliv-ee-uh n ]

/ əˈblɪv i ən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR oblivion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state of being completely forgotten or unknown: a former movie star now in oblivion.

the state of forgetting or of being oblivious: the oblivion of sleep.

the act or process of dying out; complete annihilation or extinction: If we don't preserve their habitat, the entire species will pass into oblivion.

Archaic. official disregard or overlooking of offenses; pardon; amnesty.

Origin of oblivion

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin oblīviōn- (stem of oblīviō), equivalent to oblīv(īscī) to forget + -iōn- -ion; see ob-

OTHER WORDS FROM oblivion

self-ob·liv·i·on, noun

Words nearby oblivion

obliterate, obliterating endarteritis, obliteration, obliterative bronchitis, oblivescence, oblivion, oblivious, oblong, oblongata, obloquy, obmutescence

Example sentences from the Web for oblivion

The team could sink into oblivion—or be bought by a beloved figure who could transform it.

How to Rescue the Clippers From Donald Sterling’s Racist Clutches |Jesse Lawrence |April 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
That which gave him the power over me came back out of oblivion, where I had hoped to keep it.

Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show |Robert W. Chambers |February 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And then the next red-hot development on some other front will emerge rendering the acronym to oblivion.

Why I’m Not Worried About Dying From a Superbug, and You Shouldn’t Be, Either |Kent Sepkowitz |March 8, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But when you try to oust the queen, you better be successful, lest she decides to relegate you to oblivion.

The Assemblyman Has a Gun: The Steven Brooks Saga |Jon Ralston |January 24, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

I was right, but the last word you get in as the still living is a hollow thing, trailing off, as it does, into oblivion.

The Swartz Family’s Statement and More Reactions to the Death of Aaron Swartz | |January 13, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Mr. Brookes wept a little and laughed a little, and reminded them of the oblivion that awaited all their little quarrels.

Spring Days |George Moore
Disappointment, drudgery, oblivion, and poverty are often the portion of the less fortunate ones.

Inventors & Inventions |Henry Robinson
The rambling thoughts in Dawson's brain slid off into oblivion.

Dave Dawson on the Russian Front |R. Sidney Bowen
It is better to lull the guilty person or persons into the belief that the crime has passed into oblivion.

A Mysterious Disappearance |Gordon Holmes
His death consigned the crime to oblivion; no one remembered it against her and her children.

Cobwebs and Cables |Hesba Stretton

British Dictionary definitions for oblivion

oblivion

/ (əˈblɪvɪən) /

noun

the condition of being forgotten or disregarded

the state of being mentally withdrawn or blank

law an intentional overlooking, esp of political offences; amnesty; pardon

Word Origin for oblivion

C14: via Old French from Latin oblīviō forgetfulness, from oblīviscī to forget

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

oblivion

noun

Origin of oblivion

OTHER WORDS FROM oblivion

Words nearby oblivion

Example sentences from the Web for oblivion

British Dictionary definitions for oblivion

noun

Word Origin for oblivion

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

oblivion

noun

Origin of oblivion

OTHER WORDS FROM oblivion

Words nearby oblivion

Words related to oblivion

Example sentences from the Web for oblivion

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noun

Word Origin for oblivion

British Dictionary definitions for oblivion