Exterminate vs Annihilate - What's the difference?
exterminate | annihilate | Synonyms |
To kill all of a population, usually deliberate and especially applied to pests.
(figuratively) To bring a definite end to, finish completely. A rather strong word that implies that what has been ended won't resurface.
To reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate.
(label) To react with antimatter, producing gamma radiation.
(archaic) To treat as worthless, to vilify.
*, II.17:
Annihilate is a synonym of exterminate.
As verbs the difference between exterminate and annihilate
is that exterminate is to kill all of a population, usually deliberate and especially applied to pests while annihilate is to reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate.exterminate
English
Verb
(exterminat)- We'll use poison to exterminate the rats.
- Even a mass birching at the public school failed to exterminate truancy.
Synonyms
* (to kill all) annihilate, eradicate, extermine, uproot * (to bring an end to) stamp out * See alsoDerived terms
* extermination * exterminative * exterminator * exterminatoryannihilate
English
Verb
(annihilat)- An atom bomb can annihilate a whole city.
- 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.