1
as in ruining
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 ravaging
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 killing
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 destroying
The two initial quakes flattened villages in both provinces, destroying more than 6,700 homes, and rescue workers pulled bodies from the rubble on Thursday.
—
Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
As Greengrass was editing the picture, wildfires tore through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena in Southern California, killing residents and destroying homes.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
That fire burned more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) of forest, killing two people and destroying 44 structures.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
After filing the first lawsuit, attorney Katie Steele of Varghese Summersett also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the owners from removing or destroying tenants’ property from the units, or demolishing the building, and to preserve critical evidence in the case.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Tearing down these one-of-a-kind buildings risks destroying the very qualities that make Broadway attractive.
—Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Flying Tigers are credited with destroying as many as 497 Japanese planes while losing only 73.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
For example, a manufacturer funding seasonal working capital needs with a floating-rate loan can use a cap to prevent a sudden 200 to 300 basis point spike from destroying margins.
—Meelan Gupta, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
As Greengrass was editing the picture, wildfires tore through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena in Southern California, killing residents and destroying homes.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
That fire burned more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) of forest, killing two people and destroying 44 structures.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
After filing the first lawsuit, attorney Katie Steele of Varghese Summersett also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the owners from removing or destroying tenants’ property from the units, or demolishing the building, and to preserve critical evidence in the case.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Tearing down these one-of-a-kind buildings risks destroying the very qualities that make Broadway attractive.
—Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Flying Tigers are credited with destroying as many as 497 Japanese planes while losing only 73.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
For example, a manufacturer funding seasonal working capital needs with a floating-rate loan can use a cap to prevent a sudden 200 to 300 basis point spike from destroying margins.
—Meelan Gupta, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroying
Verb
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And broadcasting your irritation too loudly risks ruining the atmosphere for everyone else just as much as their yelling or off-key chants.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But on an evening back in July, inordinate rainfall led to unrelenting floodwaters ravaging the lower level of Pledger’s home.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Spain is deploying 500 more soldiers to fight wildfires ravaging the country, as southern Europe faces a wave of extreme climate events fueled by heatwaves.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The apology came less than 24 hours after an unidentified shooter opened fire at a college university killing Kirk, a media personality and author.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Come to the table, as Republicans and Democrats, to pass solutions to the epidemic of gun violence that’s killing both of us.—
Gabby Giffords,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The sophomore, who is the youngest player ever voted captain under coach Jay Norvell, was a one-man wrecking crew against the Huskies with a game-high 13 tackles.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mangione is accused of slaying UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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On one hand, it's been nearly 20 years since a new Onimusha game, so I'm stoked that Capcom is modernizing the historically clunky, demon-slaying series.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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After filing the first lawsuit, attorney Katie Steele of Varghese Summersett also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the owners from removing or destroying tenants’ property from the units, or demolishing the building, and to preserve critical evidence in the case.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite the ongoing discourse of economic slowdown, tariff threats and interest rate concerns, the richest Americans are shattering wealth records.—
Forbes Press Releases,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The result is nonetheless shattering, for the characters and the audience.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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