Decimation vs. annihilation: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Decimation originally meant reducing by a tenth, but now it often implies severe damage. Annihilation means complete destruction or obliteration.
What they have in common
Both terms refer to destruction or reduction of something, often applied in contexts of warfare or catastrophes.
Examples
decimation
- The wildlife population suffered decimation due to the forest fires.
- The economic sanctions led to the decimation of local businesses.
annihilation
- The town faced total annihilation after the devastating bomb attack.
- The concept of nuclear war brings fears of global annihilation.
Which one is more common?
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