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perdition

noun
per·​di·​tion | \ pÉ™r-ˈdi-shÉ™n How to pronounce perdition (audio) \

Definition of perdition

1a : eternal damnation
b : hell
2a archaic : utter destruction
b obsolete : loss
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about perdition

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Did You Know?

Perdition began life as a word meaning "utter destruction"; that sense is now archaic, but it provides a clue about the origins of the word. "Perdition" was borrowed into English in the 14th century from Anglo-French perdiciun and ultimately derives from the Latin verb perdere, meaning "to destroy." "Perdere" was formed by combining the prefix per- ("through") and "dare" ("to give"). Other descendants of that Latin dare in English include "date," "edition," "render," and "traitor."

Examples of perdition in a Sentence

sinners condemned to eternal perdition simple stupidity is not enough to doom one to perdition

Recent Examples on the Web

 This rush-to-perdition premise is only interesting as the latest raunchy comedy from actor Seth Rogen and his producing partner Evan Goldberg (Knocked Up, Superbad, Sausage Party, Blocked). — Armond White, National Review, "Good Boys Celebrates the Corruption of Innocence," 16 Aug. 2019 The report outlined three major steps in Backpage’s road to perdition. — Christine Biederman, WIRED, "Inside Backpage.com’s Vicious Battle With the Feds," 18 June 2019 The road to perdition in the technology business is littered with ideas that sounded great in concept but flopped in execution. — Peter Grant, WSJ, "Need a Lunchtime Companion at Work? Check the Office App," 29 May 2018 Like these earlier explorers of perdition, Peterson found wisdom through his harrowing trek. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Jordan Peterson’s Tired Old Myths," 21 May 2018 Its crowdedness seems to amplify the collective anxiety of the artists witnessing, resisting and, at times, celebrating their road to perdition. — Jason Farago, New York Times, "Walk Through This Exhibition With Dread. You Know Where It Leads.," 5 Apr. 2018 Neither electric cars nor a bullet train will save people from a pyrrhic perdition. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "California’s Political Fires," 22 Dec. 2017 Two years later, the 30-year-old rapper faces that same perdition -- on Nov. 6, he was sentenced to 2-4 years in a Pennsylvania state prison for violating his probation. — Ben Detrick, Billboard, "In Meek Mill's Words: What The Rapper's Fight Says About the Justice System," 17 Nov. 2017 They can never be reconciled because of the chasm that separates those who deserve salvation and those who deserve perdition — namely, the deplorables. — Joshua Mitchell, National Review, "The Identity-Politics Death Grip," 26 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perdition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of perdition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

History and Etymology for perdition

Middle English perdicion, from Anglo-French perdiciun, Late Latin perdition-, perditio, from Latin perdere to destroy, from per- through + dare to give — more at per-, date

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More Definitions for perdition

perdition

noun
How to pronounce perdition (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of perdition

old-fashioned : the state of being in hell forever as punishment after death

See the full definition for perdition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on perdition

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with perdition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perdition

Britannica English: Translation of perdition for Arabic Speakers

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