Differences between snuff out and wipe out
Snuff out means to extinguish a flame or put an end to something, often abruptly and forcefully. Wipe out means to completely destroy or eliminate something.
Meanings and Definitions: snuff out vs wipe out
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Snuff out
- 1Extinguish a small flame by covering it.
I SNUFFED OUT the candles before I went to bed.
- 2Kill.
He got SNUFFED OUT in a gang war.
- 3End something suddenly.
I messed up the first question, which SNUFFED OUT my chances of getting a good grade.
Wipe out
- 1Make someone very tired.
Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT.
- 2Kill all of a population, make extinct.
A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the dinosaurs OUT.
Usage Examples: snuff out, wipe out in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
snuff out
Example
I always make sure to snuff out the candles before going to bed.
Example
He usually snuffs out any small flames around the house.
wipe out
Example
The storm wiped out the entire village.
Example
She wipes out her energy by working too hard.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Snuff out
To suppress or crush something, often a rebellion or uprising.
Example
The government sent troops to quash the rebellion and restore order.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Wipe out
To completely destroy or obliterate something.
Example
The hurricane annihilated the small coastal town, leaving nothing but rubble behind.
To eliminate or destroy something completely, often a disease or pest.
Example
The vaccination program aims to eradicate polio from the country.
To completely destroy or wipe out something, often a memory or evidence.
Example
The explosion obliterated the building, leaving no trace of its existence.
Differences in snuff out vs wipe out: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: snuff out or wipe out?
Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but wipe out is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts. It's often used to describe the complete destruction of something, while snuff out is more specific to putting out a flame or ending something suddenly.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of snuff out and wipe out
Both snuff out and wipe out are informal phrases suitable for casual conversations. However, wipe out can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of snuff out and wipe out
Snuff out often carries a negative or violent tone when referring to putting an end to something, while wipe out can have a more neutral or matter-of-fact tone when describing the complete destruction of something.
