What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
zeroize
Example
Before returning the laptop, make sure to zeroize all the data on it. [zeroize: verb]
Example
The IT department zeroized the hard drive to ensure that no confidential information was left behind. [zeroized: past tense]
reset
Example
If your phone is frozen, try resetting it by holding down the power button. [resetting: present participle]
Example
I had to reset my router to fix the internet connection. [reset: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reset is more commonly used than zeroize in everyday language. Reset is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while zeroize is less common and is typically used in more specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between zeroize and reset?
Both zeroize and reset are technical terms and are typically used in formal or professional contexts.