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Oblivion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ต
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oblivion

[ษ™หˆblษชvษชษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a sentence

The state of being completely forgotten or unknown.

Synonyms

forgetfulness, obscurity, unconsciousness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
oblivion

Use 'oblivion' when referring to a state of being completely forgotten or the state of being unaware of what is happening around you. It often has a more dramatic or poetic connotation.

  • The ancient ruins fell into oblivion over the centuries.
  • After the accident, he drifted into a realm of oblivion, unaware of his surroundings.
obscurity

Use 'obscurity' to describe the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant. It often refers to things or people that are not well-known or prominent.

  • The poet remained in obscurity until long after his death.
  • Despite his significant contributions to the field, he worked in relative obscurity.
forgetfulness

Use 'forgetfulness' to describe the quality or state of frequently forgetting things. It often points to a characteristic or failing in a person.

  • Her forgetfulness caused her to miss several important meetings.
  • With age, his forgetfulness became more apparent.
unconsciousness

Use 'unconsciousness' to refer to the state of being unaware and unresponsive to the environment, often in a medical context, such as being knocked out or as a result of anesthesia.

  • She slipped into unconsciousness after the severe blow to her head.
  • The doctors induced unconsciousness before beginning the surgery.

Examples of usage

  • He was resigned to a life of oblivion, never to be remembered by anyone.
  • The once famous artist faded into oblivion after his last exhibition.
Context #2 | Noun

in a sentence

The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening around you.

Synonyms

ignorance, unawareness, unconsciousness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
oblivion

Refers to being completely forgotten or the state of being unaware of what is happening around. Often used in a dramatic or poetic context.

  • After the war, many soldiers sought oblivion to escape their traumatic memories.
  • The ancient city fell into oblivion and was only recently rediscovered by archaeologists.
unawareness

Indicates not being aware or conscious of something. Neutral in tone and can be used in everyday situations.

  • She walked into the room with complete unawareness of the surprise waiting for her.
  • His unawareness of the deadline caused him to miss the submission.
ignorance

Describes a lack of knowledge, understanding, or information about something. Often carries a negative connotation.

  • His ignorance about current events made it hard for him to join in conversations.
  • Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it.
unconsciousness

Refers to a state where a person is not awake and aware of their surroundings, often due to illness or injury.

  • After the accident, he was found in a state of unconsciousness by the roadside.
  • Administering first aid can sometimes help revive someone from unconsciousness.

Examples of usage

  • She walked around in a daze, lost in oblivion of her surroundings.
  • The drug induced a state of blissful oblivion.
Context #3 | Noun

in a sentence

The state of nonexistence or nothingness.

Synonyms

nonexistence, nothingness, void.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
oblivion

Used when referring to a state of being forgotten or completely unaware. This might be due to time passing, destruction, or a mental state.

  • After the comet impact, the ancient city fell into oblivion
  • She drank to oblivion, trying to escape her memories
nonexistence

Used when something does not exist or has ceased to exist. Often used in philosophical or existential discussions.

  • He questioned the nonexistence of an afterlife
  • The creature's nonexistence was proven scientifically
void

Used to describe an empty space or a feeling of emptiness. It can be physical or emotional.

  • The astronaut felt a sense of fear while floating in the void of space
  • After the breakup, he felt a void in his heart
nothingness

Used to describe a state of being where nothing exists. It often carries a philosophical or existential connotation.

  • Staring into the void, he felt the weight of nothingness
  • The concept of nothingness can be very difficult to grasp

Examples of usage

  • The thought of eternal oblivion after death haunted her.
  • The void of oblivion swallowed everything in its path.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Shakespeareโ€™s plays, characters often refer to 'oblivion' as a fate worse than death, highlighting the fear of being forgotten.
  • The concept has inspired numerous works of poetry and novels, where characters grapple with memory and identity.
  • Dante's 'Divine Comedy' creatively explores the idea of souls facing oblivion in the afterlife, questioning the impact of oneโ€™s earthly actions.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'oblivion' is the title of a popular video game that explores themes of memory and reality in a fantasy setting.
  • Films like 'Oblivion' (2013) starring Tom Cruise delve into the consequences of forgetting one's past and the impact of technology.
  • In music, several songs reference 'oblivion', often discussing feelings of loss or being forgotten.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have extensively debated the concept of oblivion concerning existentialism, questioning the meaning of life and legacy.
  • The idea of oblivion ties into discussions of death and memory, exploring what it means to leave a mark on the world.
  • Cave paintings from prehistoric times can be seen as humanity's attempt to escape oblivion by recording their existence.

Psychology

  • Psychologists study oblivion in the context of memory loss, particularly in conditions like amnesia.
  • The phenomenon of blocking out traumatic memories can be associated with a psychological form of oblivion.
  • Research indicates that the brain actively prunes memories, which can lead to certain experiences fading into oblivion over time.

Origin of 'oblivion'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Oblivion' comes from the Latin word 'oblivio', which means forgetfulness or the act of forgetting.
  • The term has been used since the 14th century in English literature, originally meaning total forgetfulness.
  • Over time, 'oblivion' has also come to signify a state of extinction, as in being lost or destroyed without any remaining trace.

The word 'oblivion' originates from the Latin word 'oblivio' meaning 'forgetfulness' or 'oblivion'. It has been in use in English since the late 14th century. The concept of oblivion has been a recurring theme in literature, philosophy, and psychology, symbolizing the state of being forgotten, unaware, or nonexistence. The word has evolved to encompass various meanings related to forgetfulness, unconsciousness, and nothingness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,112, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.