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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
—
Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Also, in most instances, TEM usually destroys organic samples under the beam.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
In fact, most destroy it for those who follow the crowd.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Old-timers will remember the 1996 Buffalo Creek fire, which destroyed 12 structures across 12,000 acres of the county.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Also, in most instances, TEM usually destroys organic samples under the beam.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
In fact, most destroy it for those who follow the crowd.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Old-timers will remember the 1996 Buffalo Creek fire, which destroyed 12 structures across 12,000 acres of the county.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the news, Ukraine was ravaged.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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In November 1996, a fire ravaged the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the past two months, Texans have used green ribbons with bows to commemorate the lives lost in the July 4 Hill Country flooding, which killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen girls and counselors from Camp Mystic in Hunt.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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In a shocking and dominant performance, Lesnar completely demolished Cena, delivering 16 German suplexes in a one-sided beatdown to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deadly floods in Asia have devastated crops, crippling already fragile food production.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The glossy marketing doesn't include a footnote about trust funds, family support or the ability to absorb year-over-year losses that would devastate most working families.—
Elle Wang,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ashlee Simpson slayed in an all-black look featuring a cutout top and frayed asymmetrical hem.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Through tears, the father of slain Nasir Delaney-Rowland shared a statement in court that his son was one of a kind.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What would shatter any other nation has become our daily broadcast.—
John Feinblatt,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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These hopes are shattered when a brutish stranger appears on the doorstep to take his family back.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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