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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destroy
Furthermore, scavengers used fires to destroy walls and steal fixtures and fittings.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
That moment gave me such a clear picture of what every performance is: energy isn’t created or destroyed — it’s transferred.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Two years after the treatment, a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey detailed that the copper destroyed up to 90% of the invertebrates living in the area, putting at stake food resources for future fish populations in the river.
—Alex Music
august 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2025
The company also lost a Starship upper stage during a static fire test that destroyed one of its test stands.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
That moment gave me such a clear picture of what every performance is: energy isn’t created or destroyed — it’s transferred.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Two years after the treatment, a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey detailed that the copper destroyed up to 90% of the invertebrates living in the area, putting at stake food resources for future fish populations in the river.
—Alex Music
august 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2025
The company also lost a Starship upper stage during a static fire test that destroyed one of its test stands.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
-
Her Altadena home and the surrounding community were ruined by the Eaton wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Sanders is the latest in a long line of injuries that have ravaged Cleveland's QB room.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
As a 1,000-year flood ravaged Milwaukee and its suburbs over a weekend in August, the aftermath reveals that many need a helping hand.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The other two students who were killed were Mogen’s childhood best friend Kaylee Goncalves and Chapin’s girlfriend, Xana Kernodle.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The shooting killed two children and injured more than a dozen people.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Even an old grain silo near the former Nickel Plate train station raised a few hackles when it was demolished.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
-
When a building gets demolished, what happens to all that concrete, glass, stone or metal?—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Officials gathered Monday at a shopping center in Seymour that was devastated on Aug. 18, 2024 by massive flooding and mud that damaged multiple stores in the plaza and knocked them out of business for months and more.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Some movies aim to entertain, while others devastate.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Officials have finalized funeral services for slain Kansas City, Kansas police officer Hunter Simoncic.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Aug. 2025
-
KPop Demon Hunters has officially slain Red Notice.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The chief said the suspect wrecked the vehicle before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Houses and sections of a port have been wrecked or swept out to sea.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share