sabotage 1 of 2

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sabotage

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
During World War II, the Roosevelt administration acted to defend the waterway from Nazi sabotage plans. Michael Crowley, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025 Russia has denied allegations of involvement in underwater cable sabotage. Caitlin Danaher, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
What a week to revive a musical comedy about corporate raiders sabotaging the public good. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025 In her most recent statement, Ms. Chen said again that the Chinese Communist Party was driving a campaign to sabotage Shen Yun. Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
  • Because mutually assured destruction has already occurred.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The epic destruction that surrounds the Villa today adds an unnerving element to the exhibition’s art historical context.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • While its future hangs in the balance, Republicans have additional plans to thwart it.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • But his progress was thwarted in bizarre circumstances, relating to a break-in at his home a few weeks earlier.
    Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Many other belongings from his tomb are believed to have been relocated due to the flooding that destroyed it.
    Francesca Aton for ArtNews, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When UConn hosted Creighton – which is now in what seems to be a two-horse race with St. John’s for the Big East regular season title – Hurley was frustrated with his team’s defense and its tenacity on the backboards.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2025
  • In fact, Kansas Republicans were frustrated by Washington infighting over the new president's agenda.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Ancient people weren't about to let these pests ruin their crops or their lives.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The film ends with Ross going full Red Hulk in the White House Rose Garden (oops), nearly ruining his legacy (Sterns’ real prize) and ultimately forcing him to admit his wrongdoing, give up his office, and head to The Raft to serve an undetermined amount of time in the floating prison.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Coolidge’s Tanya died at the end of Season Two — ironically, right after foiling an attempt on her life arranged by her bitter husband Greg (Jonathan Gries) as a way to get around a prenup.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Washington and its partners should make binding commitments on broad, cross-sector issues, including foiling China’s economic coercion and addressing its production overcapacities and exploitative practices—for example, its massive subsidies for Chinese firms—that distort markets.
    Geoffrey Gertz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There's little doubt about next week being a 'climate emergency' with extreme cold—perhaps historical—wrecking the central United States.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The powerful storm wrecked Tropicana Field, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, rendering the stadium unplayable for this season and possibly longer.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Moments later, another body camera captures the inmate restrained in handcuffs being carried face down by three officers — two at his arms, another at his legs — through the entryway.
    Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Mary got another domestic violence restraining order on Dec. 30, an order the court extended on Jan. 22.
    David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sabotage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!