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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 destroy
Black residents had already been moving away because of gentrification before the fires and saw their homes severely damaged or destroyed at higher rates than other groups during the blaze.
—
Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The Association of American Universities sued the Department of Health & Human Services and the NIH in February over NIH funding cuts the group said would destroy medical research at American universities and put quality of life in the US at stake.
—ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
Stefano Guidi / Getty Images Philippines Protesters destroy an effigy with the face of Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Trump during a Labour Day demonstration in Manila on May 1, 2025.
—CBS News, 1 May 2025
Resentful and determined to destroy Serbia, Austria-Hungary instead precipitated a world war that destroyed the empire itself and much else.
—Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The Association of American Universities sued the Department of Health & Human Services and the NIH in February over NIH funding cuts the group said would destroy medical research at American universities and put quality of life in the US at stake.
—ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
Stefano Guidi / Getty Images Philippines Protesters destroy an effigy with the face of Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Trump during a Labour Day demonstration in Manila on May 1, 2025.
—CBS News, 1 May 2025
Resentful and determined to destroy Serbia, Austria-Hungary instead precipitated a world war that destroyed the empire itself and much else.
—Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
-
Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Four months ago, in the weeks after the devastating wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades, Roberts received a message from a friend involved with the Palisades Charter High School baseball team, inviting him to speak at one of their preseason practices.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Other crags—like Elephant Knob in the Sierras, and parts of Cochiti Mesa, New Mexico—are permanently unclimbable, even decades after the fires ravaged the area.—
Hannah Provost,
Outside Online,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined the father fatally stabbed his sons and wife before killing himself.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
Navigating Pricing Complexity Pricing complexity can kill B2B growth.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
His effect on next-door Canada, however, has been to demolish America’s reputation.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The Pennsylvania home where Yankees great Reggie Jackson spent his childhood was demolished Monday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Clyde has said that he’ll be devastated to leave his playoff booth duties behind, and local Knicks supporters who hang on his every word for six months each year are equally bummed at the prospect.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, Prince Harry just lost his a legal appeal for his security detailing in the U.K. and the decision devastated him.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Karen Carter, 65, was discovered slain in Dordogne, in southwestern France, on April 29, the BBC reported, citing the state prosecutor.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
7 May 2025
-
The number of people slain so far in 2025: 116. Chicago homicides, by year Data for 2025 is updated through April 30, 2025.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
His family confirmed his identity in a GoFundMe fundraiser, which has so far raised upwards of $35,000 to support his family, shattering its $5,000 goal.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
-
Israel resumed its bombardment in Gaza on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
That predecessor was wrecked May 9, 1980, when a freighter, lost in the vicious storm, broadsided the southbound span of the twin bridge and knocked down a 1,260-foot section of roadway.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
-
They were meant to stop drivers from careening across who were wrecking his soybeans.—
Riley Robinson,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share