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
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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
What Weatherby saw that night could have been the origin of the Eaton fire that would burn for weeks, killing at least 17 people and destroying more than 9,000 homes, businesses and other structures.
—
Jeff Young, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
California homeowners were just reminded that the financial backstop of last resort for houses destroyed by wildfires is … other California homeowners.
—Mark Gongloff, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2025
Just about all of Trump’s policies, both at home and abroad, are rapidly destroying the foundation of American power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
But an unwelcome guest had entered in the meantime
Comments
A man accidentally allowed a surprising houseguest to destroy his roommate's space — but who's really to blame is up for debate.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Jeff Young, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
California homeowners were just reminded that the financial backstop of last resort for houses destroyed by wildfires is … other California homeowners.
—Mark Gongloff, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2025
Just about all of Trump’s policies, both at home and abroad, are rapidly destroying the foundation of American power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
But an unwelcome guest had entered in the meantime
Comments
A man accidentally allowed a surprising houseguest to destroy his roommate's space — but who's really to blame is up for debate.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Syria, totally ravaged by war, needs an entirely new political settlement.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
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Airbnb also commented on the recent wildfires that ravaged the Los Angeles area last month, saying its nonprofit Airbnb.org housed more than 19,000 people and 2,300 pets and has received $27 million in donations.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The dismissals come less than three weeks after a midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter killed 67 people and brought new scrutiny to air traffic controllers and their workloads.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Train hoppers can and do get injured or even killed.—
Manuela López Restrepo,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Crimson Tide have won their last seven games, most recently demolishing Texas 103-80 on Tuesday.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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While exploring the basement of a building slated to be demolished for the upcoming office tower, the scientists unearthed the remains of what once served as the foundation of a two-story building, nearly as large as an Olympic swimming pool.—
Sophia Compton,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When wildfires devastated Los Angeles earlier this year, Bobbie provided formula for families who lost their homes.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
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But with the ceremony taking place at the Pasadena Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, just six weeks after Los Angeles was devastated by a series of wildfires, the celebration takes on a new tenor.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Some were slain by their captors and some were killed in Israel's offenses.—
Reuters,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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Cal Fire captain begged for mercy during slaying captured on video, officials say.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
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Recent events have shattered her image as a role model—a persona that has long been disputed by some of her co-stars.—
Louis Staples,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With Austin Cindric and Erik Jones locked in a side-by-side battle to decide a Daytona 500 qualifying race less than 100 yards from the finish line, cars wrecked behind them and NASCAR immediately hit the caution button.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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As with other official statements over the previous two days, Webster said the cause is still under investigation and offered no reasons why the plane could have wrecked.—
Bill Lukitsch The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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