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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in to thwart
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in to destroy
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 sabotage
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Tolentino’s treatment of sabotage is emblematic of the discussion’s overall irresponsibility.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Brooklyn claimed that his family tried to sabotage his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, multiple times, citing their 2022 wedding and David's 50th birthday party in 2025.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
With their successful sabotage, there would likely be more security in the future, meaning a future attempt would be far more difficult.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Tolentino’s treatment of sabotage is emblematic of the discussion’s overall irresponsibility.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
OpenAI countersued Musk a year ago, accusing him of weaponizing legal claims, social media posts and news stories to try to sabotage the startup’s success.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Brooklyn claimed that his family tried to sabotage his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, multiple times, citing their 2022 wedding and David's 50th birthday party in 2025.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
-
But Church, undeterred, was drawn to the idea that those processes offered lessons in destruction and renewal which could be applied to a nation teetering on civil war.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The bottom line is that the pressure on the great American people, because of these people who are, like, really intent on American and Israeli destruction with their nuclear weapons are still in power.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Duncan's supporters say the attempt by a majority white conservative Legislature to eliminate Duncan's job thwarts the will of voters in New Orleans, a predominantly Black Democratic hub in a red state.—
JACK BROOK,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
State legislators also have tried to thwart charter amendments limiting growth.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the cityscape frustrates urban photographers with uneven terrain or limited spaces, photographic gear company Silence Corner strikes back with the Viperpod – a hybrid tripod designed to hang anywhere in seconds for unencumbered solo shooting.—
Shirl Leigh
May 06,
New Atlas,
6 May 2026
-
Committee Democrats asked Lutnick repeatedly about that visit, but came away from the interview frustrated with Lutnick and accused him of evading their questions.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
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
-
Spirit Airlines collapsed over the weekend, and the carrier said the surge in jet fuel costs foiled its plans to emerge from bankruptcy midyear.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
Their plan is eventually foiled, however, when Creasy is hit with a shocking development that changes everything.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
