What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demolish
Example
The old factory was demolished to make way for a new shopping center. [demolished: verb]
Example
Our team completely demolished the opposing team in the championship game. [demolished: past tense]
Example
He carefully demolished the old engine to see how it worked. [demolished: verb]
annihilate
Example
The hurricane annihilated the small town, leaving nothing but rubble. [annihilated: verb]
Example
The army was able to annihilate the enemy forces with their superior firepower. [annihilate: verb]
Example
The virus was successfully annihilated from the computer system. [annihilated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Demolish is more commonly used than annihilate in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is less extreme in its connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demolish and annihilate?
Both demolish and annihilate are formal words, but annihilate is more formal and has a stronger connotation of violence and destruction.
