Cancel, Erase, Expunge, Efface, Blot, Obliterate
The difference between these words depends on what you remove, how completely you remove it, and whether any trace remains.
Cancel
It means to annul, revoke, or call off something that was previously arranged or in effect.
This word is used when you stop something before it happens. Nothing is removed yet—it just doesn't go forward.
- I had to cancel my flight.
- I need to cancel my hotel reservation.
Erase
It means to rub, scrape, or digitally remove written marks, drawings, or data.
Erase removes things like pencil, ink, digital files, tape, or chalk. But it often leaves a trace—indentations on paper, or recoverable files on a computer.
- I accidentally erased all my vacation photos.
- The technician erased the old tape.
Expunge
It means to erase or remove completely, but specifically in an official, legal, or bureaucratic context.
Expunge removes criminal records, names from lists, clauses from contracts, or file folders. In a legal sense, it leaves no trace—it's destroyed as if it never happened. You are legally allowed to say it didn't happen.
- The committee voted to expunge his name from the membership roll.
- The lawyer filed a motion to expunge his juvenile record.
Efface
It means to slowly wear away, rub off, or fade over time—like when something becomes hard to see because of friction, age, or natural causes.
Efface is about wiping or rubbing something out so it fades or becomes unreadable, but it may leave a faint mark.
- Efface a name carved in stone.
- Centuries of rain had effaced the names on the tomb.
Blot
It means to soak up or dry a wet substance, like ink or blood, by pressing an absorbent material against it. It can also mean to hide or obscure (like a blot on your reputation).
Blot removes wet liquids, stains, or even things like dishonor (in a figurative sense). But it rarely removes completely—it usually leaves a faded stain or a dark, ugly mark behind.
- She blotted her forehead with a tissue.
- He blotted the red wine with a paper towel.
Obliterate
It means to destroy utterly and completely, leaving absolutely nothing recognizable.
Obliterate destroys buildings, towns, evidence, or objects completely. It doesn't leave the thing itself—just rubble, ashes, or a crater. It's the harshest and most forceful word of all.
- The bomb obliterated the small village.
- Our artillery obliterated the enemy position.
When to use these words:
Cancel
Use cancel when you are stopping an event, plan, or agreement before it happens. The thing still exists, but it is no longer active or valid.
- The bank canceled the lost check.
Erase
Use erase when you are removing marks, writing or digital data from a surface or device. You are using a rubber cloth, digital command, or magnetic wipe.
- He tried to erase the painful memory from his mind.
Expunge
Use expunge when you are deleting something from an official, legal, or bureaucratic record. You want it to be as if it never existed in the eyes of the law or rules.
- The lawyer filed a motion to expunge his juvenile record.
Efface
Use efface when something wears away slowly over time due to weather, friction, or age. The removal is gradual, natural, and often unintentional.
- Centuries of rain had effaced the names on the tomb.
Blot
Use blot when you are soaking up a wet liquid (like ink, water or blood) by pressing something absorbent against it.
- She blotted the red wine with a paper towel.
Obliterate
Use obliterate when you are destroying something so completely that it is no longer recognizable.
- The earthquake obliterated the entire coastal town.
In a nutshell
Cancel = stop
Erase = remove (may be recoverable)
Expunge = official removal from records
Efface = rub out (may leave a trace)
Blot = cover up, not remove
Obliterate = destroy completely, zero trace
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