What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
annihilated
Example
The city was annihilated by the earthquake, leaving nothing but ruins. [annihilated: past tense]
Example
The virus has the potential to annihilate the entire population if not contained. [annihilate: verb]
destroyed
Example
The fire destroyed the entire building, reducing it to ashes. [destroyed: past tense]
Example
The storm destroyed their crops, leaving them with nothing. [destroyed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Destroyed is more commonly used than annihilated in everyday language. Destroyed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while annihilated is less common and is typically used in more dramatic or extreme situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between annihilated and destroyed?
While annihilated is associated with a more formal and dramatic tone, destroyed can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
