What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obliterate
Example
The hurricane obliterated the entire town. [obliterated: past tense]
Example
The dictator's regime sought to obliterate any opposition to their rule. [obliterate: verb]
demolish
Example
The old stadium was demolished to make way for a new one. [demolished: past tense]
Example
The lawyer was able to demolish the prosecution's case with her arguments. [demolish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Demolish is more commonly used than obliterate in everyday language. Demolish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while obliterate is less common and often reserved for more extreme situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obliterate and demolish?
Both obliterate and demolish can be used in formal or informal contexts, but obliterate may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage.
