The difference between Annihilate and Exterminate

When used as verbs, annihilate means to reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate, whereas exterminate means to kill all of (a population of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally.


check bellow for the other definitions of Annihilate and Exterminate

  1. Annihilate as a verb:

    To reduce to nothing, to destroy, to eradicate.

    Examples:

    "An atom bomb can annihilate a whole city."

  2. Annihilate as a verb (particle physics):

    To react with antimatter, producing gamma radiation.

  3. Annihilate as a verb (archaic):

    To treat as worthless, to vilify.

  4. Annihilate as a verb (transitive):

    To render null and void; to abrogate.

  1. Exterminate as a verb (transitive):

    To kill all of (a population of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally.

    Examples:

    "We'll use poison to exterminate the rats."

  2. Exterminate as a verb (figuratively, transitive):

    To bring a definite end to; finish completely.

    Examples:

    "The public school failed to exterminate truancy."