1
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
Homes and the nearby shops on North Fair Oaks had been destroyed.
—
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
In the first incident, a tornado completely destroyed the building.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Minutes later, an Iskander ballistic missile streaked down—and exploded directly over the shelter, likely destroying the MiG. Why that MiG was parked at a big air base so close to the front line, when there other options for takeoffs and landings, remains a mystery.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
In the first incident, a tornado completely destroyed the building.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Minutes later, an Iskander ballistic missile streaked down—and exploded directly over the shelter, likely destroying the MiG. Why that MiG was parked at a big air base so close to the front line, when there other options for takeoffs and landings, remains a mystery.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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No broken bottle is going to keep him from ravaging his prey.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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Pam's body was ravaged from arthritis caused by the accident.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Their special teams — especially the power play but also the penalty kill — are in a major funk at maybe the worst time of the season.—
Aaron Portzline,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, by the police’s count.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Some residential buildings have been demolished; a hole is punched into the side of a mosque; chunks of broken concrete now bare the inside of someone’s home to the outside world.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Nearly half of them were slain using poison gas, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, at death camps like Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
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The right-wing host identified the staffer as Jamie White, who according to Jones, was slain outside his Austin, Texas apartment late Sunday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.—
David Hochman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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