as in destruction
the act of destroying or damaging something deliberately so that it does not work correctly
Angry workers were responsible for the sabotage of the machines. Officials have not yet ruled out sabotage as a possible cause of the crash.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to thwart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sabotage
Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Was it caused by a flaw in engineering or processing, or was this the result of deliberate sabotage?
—Michael Petros, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
Leo Tran, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
The timing of the lie, and the inevitability that it would be exposed, strongly suggest her false accusation was planned to sabotage Paul’s other case on the eve of trial — deliberately engineered to inflict maximum damage and sway media and public opinion.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
Drugs are a given, and Roberta has built up a pretty serious junk habit, but, this being Italy, the radical left is at its height, and many women have connections to the Brigate Rosse, one of the many outlaw European outfits of the time carrying out robberies, kidnappings and sabotage.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Was it caused by a flaw in engineering or processing, or was this the result of deliberate sabotage?
—Michael Petros, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
Verb
Terrified of the prospect of communist victory, Washington sabotaged the 1954 Geneva Accords, which had called for national elections, and supported an anti-communist government in the South.
—Leo Tran, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
The timing of the lie, and the inevitability that it would be exposed, strongly suggest her false accusation was planned to sabotage Paul’s other case on the eve of trial — deliberately engineered to inflict maximum damage and sway media and public opinion.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
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Now, some say artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of creative destruction – but what exactly is being creatively destroyed, and what’s replacing it?—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Significant destruction was reported in Grinnell, Kansas, where homes were flattened, roads blocked and vehicles overturned.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Musk also joined Trump in criticizing the courts for trying to thwart DOGE cuts and executive actions, including tariffs and migrant deportations.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
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Defenses managed to down six ballistic missiles and 128 drones, while another 117 drones disappeared from radar and were thwarted by electronic warfare, the statement said.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2025
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During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Musk was reportedly frustrated about OpenAI being part of the deal and allegedly warned G42 officials on a call that Trump would not sign off on a deal unless his company xAI was included.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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His Democratic Party predecessor, Moon Jae-in, had three years with a near supermajority in the legislature but had his agenda frustrated by party colleagues with little appetite for painful corrective measures.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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Thessaloniki, Greece Greece is an iconic travel destination with ancient history, ruins steeped in lore, and picture-perfect Mediterranean beaches.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images A federal judge’s recent order may foil President Donald Trump’s plans to transfer the country’s more than $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio from the U.S. Department of Education to the Small Business Administration.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
27 May 2025
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Propel Foil The designer, ex-pro snowboarder and foiling enthusiast Jason Toth, states that no tools are required for making any of the transformations, which take no longer than five minutes each.—
Ben Coxworth
May 27,
New Atlas,
27 May 2025
Verb
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His cabin was a few miles south of the one the bear wrecked for for me, closer to the fringe of settlement.—
Ted Updike,
Outdoor Life,
22 May 2025
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That meant late nights, early wake-ups, work events, and heels that wreck your feet, plus years of jet lag from endless travel.—
Jessica Sibley,
Time,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Violators could pay up to $200 in fines and up to $250 plus court costs for driving with children who aren't properly restrained.—
Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi,
Axios,
22 May 2025
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Yet, while our adversaries surge ahead, the Pentagon remains restrained by decision-making processes conceived in the 1960s and barely updated since the 1990s.—
Charles Beames,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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