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What is the difference between annihilate and consume?

annihilate | consume | Synonyms |

Consume is a synonym of annihilate.



As verbs the difference between annihilate and consume

is that annihilate is to reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate while consume is to use.

annihilate

English

Verb

(annihilat)
  • To reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate.
  • An atom bomb can annihilate a whole city.
  • (label) To react with antimatter, producing gamma radiation.
  • (archaic) To treat as worthless, to vilify.
  • *, II.17:
  • of all the opinions which Antiquity hath had of men in gross, those which I most willingly embrace, and whereon I take most hold, are such as most vilifie, condemne, and annihilate us.

    Synonyms

    * (to reduce to nothing) benothing, destroy, eradicate, extinguish * See also

    Antonyms

    * (to reduce to nothing) create, generate

    consume

    English

    Verb

    (consum)
  • To use.
  • The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.
  • To eat.
  • Baby birds consume their own weight in food each day.
  • To completely occupy the thoughts or attention of.
  • Desire consumed him.
  • To destroy completely.
  • The building was consumed by fire.
  • * Shakespeare
  • If he were putting to my house the brand / That shall consume it.
  • * Bible, Matthew vi. 20
  • Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume .
  • (obsolete) To waste away slowly.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Therefore, let Benedick, like cover'd fire, / Consume away in sighs.
  • * 1899 , Kate Chopin, The Awakening :
  • He assured her the child was consuming at that moment in the next room.

    Synonyms

    * (use) burn (of energy ), use, use up * (eat) devour, eat, swallow * (occupy) occupy, overcome, take over * (destroy) annihilate, destroy, devastate, eliminate, obliterate, raze (of a building ), wipe out

    Derived terms

    * consumer