What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excrete
Example
The kidneys excrete waste products from the body. [excrete: verb]
Example
The sweat glands excrete sweat to regulate body temperature. [excrete: verb]
eliminate
Example
We need to eliminate all sources of contamination in the food processing plant. [eliminate: verb]
Example
The body eliminates waste through the digestive system. [eliminates: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eliminate is more commonly used than excrete in everyday language. Eliminate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while excrete is less common and mainly used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excrete and eliminate?
Both excrete and eliminate are formal words that are typically used in technical or scientific contexts. However, eliminate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
