What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
annihilate
Example
The hurricane annihilated the small coastal town, leaving nothing but rubble. [annihilated: past tense]
Example
The army was able to annihilate the enemy forces in a swift and decisive attack. [annihilate: verb]
obliterate
Example
The explosion obliterated the building, reducing it to mere debris. [obliterated: past tense]
Example
He used a cloth to obliterate the writing on the whiteboard. [obliterate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obliterate is more commonly used than annihilate in everyday language. Obliterate is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while annihilate is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between annihilate and obliterate?
While annihilate is generally considered more formal and less commonly used in everyday language, obliterate is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
