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Words that destroy: "exterminate" and "obliterate"

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 02/12/2024, 01:20
English.me team member
Exterminate and obliterate. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "exterminate" and "obliterate" refer to the complete destruction or elimination of something.

What is different?

"Exterminate" typically refers to killing living beings, especially pests or unwanted organisms, emphasizing the eradication of life. "Obliterate" generally means to destroy something so thoroughly that no trace remains, and can refer to objects, structures, or even abstract concepts like memories.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for exterminate) and obliterate

Examples of usage

Exterminate
  • The pest control company was hired to exterminate the termites in the house.
  • There is a debate about the ethics of exterminating invasive species to protect native ecosystems.
  • Efforts were made to exterminate the disease before it spread to more people.
Obliterate
  • The bomb was designed to obliterate the entire structure, leaving nothing behind.
  • After the scandal, the company tried to obliterate all records of the transaction to avoid legal issues.
  • In an instant, the ancient city was obliterated by the volcanic eruption.