What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
annihilate
Example
The hurricane annihilated the small coastal town, leaving nothing but ruins. [annihilated: past tense verb]
Example
The army was able to annihilate the enemy forces in a swift and decisive victory. [annihilate: verb]
eradicate
Example
Efforts to eradicate malaria have been successful in many countries. [eradicate: verb]
Example
The government is determined to eradicate corruption from the system. [eradicate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eradicate is more commonly used than annihilate in everyday language. Eradicate is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while annihilate is less common and tends to be used in more specific and dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between annihilate and eradicate?
While annihilate is generally considered more formal and dramatic, eradicate is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
