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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
Her mother said there had been a fire at the hospital that destroyed the vital records, Michelle recalls.
—
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
The University of California reported the disease destroyed more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Northern California from 1994 to 2008, causing $30 million in damage, a California Department of Food and Agriculture brochure said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
Police said the vehicle’s license plate was destroyed due to the heat and the vehicle identification number was not accessible.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
The business must cease operations on May 31 and destroy any remaining inventory.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
The University of California reported the disease destroyed more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Northern California from 1994 to 2008, causing $30 million in damage, a California Department of Food and Agriculture brochure said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
Police said the vehicle’s license plate was destroyed due to the heat and the vehicle identification number was not accessible.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
The business must cease operations on May 31 and destroy any remaining inventory.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Our house, ruined by the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake, was rebuilt from the foundation up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Undefeated this season on clay, the 15th-seeded Ukrainian player reached the quarterfinals at the French Open for the first time on Sunday by taking out four-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 and ruining her birthday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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If Detroit, the city most ravaged by deindustrialization, can remake its defining industry and rebuild its downtown around a single, audacious bet on the future, so can America.—
Time,
Time,
2 June 2026
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Regions like Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia remain ravaged by active warfare, massacres, and mass displacement.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
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In recent months security forces have killed a string of top Maoists and the rank-and-file are laying down their weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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At the same time that the GKN situation was unraveling, the rupture of a chemical tank containing a different chemical mixture killed 11 people at a paper mill in Washington state.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Two other properties were purchased in 2024, one of which was a barbershop that was demolished, and a third property was purchased in 2025.—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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Before filing plans to demolish the building within the next two weeks, Kennedy planned Thursday night’s event to honor the structure.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Horvath has faced issues in her district, which includes county areas devastated by the Palisades fire.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
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In the case of Tom Brandis, played by the singular Mark Ruffalo, a tragedy (matricide) has devastated his family unit.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Kristin Cavallari came to play and her abs came to slay Thursday night.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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Marshall is also the mother of Cook’s slain brother, Chauncy Marshall, 31, who was killed in a shooting at a Springfield nightclub in 2017, according to media reports.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Over the prairie there would be lightning that evening, dropping in shattering bolts from swollen purple clouds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Standard polystyrene shattered or punctured easily under the stress.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The kind of game-wrecking force that the Rams enjoyed playing behind during Aaron Donald’s tenure, and one the defense has missed since Donald’s retirement prior to the 2024 season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
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These two didn't get along great for a long period after Kyle wrecked Junior at Richmond.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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