Definitions
- Describing the complete destruction or elimination of something or someone. - Referring to the act of wiping out or eradicating completely. - Talking about a forceful and devastating action that leaves nothing behind.
- Describing the act of completely destroying or erasing something. - Referring to the removal or elimination of all traces or evidence of something. - Talking about a forceful action that leaves no remnants or signs behind.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe the complete destruction or elimination of something.
- 2Both words convey a sense of forcefulness and devastation.
- 3Both words imply the removal or eradication of all traces or evidence.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Annihilate suggests a more extreme level of destruction compared to obliterate.
- 2Extent: Annihilate implies total eradication, leaving nothing behind, while obliterate may leave some remnants or traces.
- 3Usage: Annihilate is more commonly used in the context of warfare or large-scale destruction, while obliterate can be used in a wider range of contexts.
- 4Connotation: Annihilate has a stronger and more aggressive connotation, while obliterate can also be used in a metaphorical sense, such as erasing memories or emotions.
- 5Formality: Annihilate is generally considered more formal and less commonly used in everyday language, while obliterate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Remember this!
Annihilate and obliterate are synonyms that both describe the complete destruction or elimination of something. However, there are some differences between the two words. Annihilate suggests a higher level of intensity and implies total eradication without leaving any remnants. On the other hand, obliterate may leave some traces or remnants behind. Annihilate is more commonly used in the context of warfare or large-scale destruction, while obliterate can be used in a wider range of contexts and has a broader metaphorical usage as well.
