What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obliterated
Example
The tornado obliterated the entire town, leaving nothing standing. [obliterated: verb]
Example
The traumatic experience had obliterated all memories of her childhood. [obliterated: past participle]
annihilate
Example
The vaccine was able to annihilate the deadly virus within weeks. [annihilate: verb]
Example
The army was able to annihilate the enemy forces, securing a decisive victory. [annihilate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obliterate is more commonly used than annihilate in everyday language, as it is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obliterated and annihilate?
Both obliterate and annihilate are formal words that are typically used in serious or dramatic contexts, such as describing the destruction of a city or the defeat of an enemy army.
