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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
This man and his cronies are almost singlehandedly destroying America.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Israel retaliated by launching a wave of deadly airstrikes and a deeper ground incursion aimed at destroying Hezbollah.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Her murder went unsolved for over 20 years Former UGA police detective Alex Morrow told The Augusta Chroniclein January 2011 that the fire destroyed much of the crime scene and physical evidence that could have led them to the killer.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Nevertheless, things aren’t looking good for Ohm, and that’s before Mal arrives the next day to destroy any evidence of his crimes.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Israel retaliated by launching a wave of deadly airstrikes and a deeper ground incursion aimed at destroying Hezbollah.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Her murder went unsolved for over 20 years Former UGA police detective Alex Morrow told The Augusta Chroniclein January 2011 that the fire destroyed much of the crime scene and physical evidence that could have led them to the killer.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Nevertheless, things aren’t looking good for Ohm, and that’s before Mal arrives the next day to destroy any evidence of his crimes.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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Safeguarding the location of the Bezos’ party could save the man Forbes calls the world’s fourth-richest person from having protesters ruin his evening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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An offense built on length has been ravaged by injuries and some sort of affliction that has the Mets regularly hitting the ball into the ground instead of in the air.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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National income per person had fallen from about $8,000 in 2012 to $5,000 in 2024, ravaged by inflation, corruption and sanctions.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The couple had tied the knot less than two months before she was killed, the outlet reported at the time.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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Tim’s best friend in high school, Chris, was tragically killed in service.—
Charleen Richey,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Browns will pay for their current home to be demolished after the 2028 season, which will make way for lakefront development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Trump has overseen dramatic cosmetic changes on the White House grounds during his second term, including paving over the grassy line of the famous Rose Garden and demolishing the White House's East Wing to make way for a massive ballroom.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Such local weather events have devastated rural communities in recent years.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Behold, summer is officially here with two movies that are slaying around the globe.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 May 2026
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Wadded and stacked $1 bills, some of it in plastic bags, were found in the sedan in which Homan, who was 24, was slain.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
Verb
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LaPorta set the rookie tight end record for receptions in 2023 with 86 (the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers shattered it a year later with 112).—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Police found Berry’s vehicle, along with personal items inside, wrecked in the driveway – but Berry was not at the home, the warrant says.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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The Bills will head into the season without a true, identifiable game-wrecking defensive player on the roster.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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