DESTROY Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

destroy

verb

di-ˈstrȯi

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

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

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 The severe weather also left 147 homes either completely or partially destroyed, wiped out 80 kilometers of roads and destroyed agricultural land and irrigation canals, Hammad said. —

ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday claimed to have destroyed a manufacturing hub for critical components of ballistic missiles. —

Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026 About 40% of all the trash in Hennepin County is destroyed by the HERC. —

Frankie McLister, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 So, go after Hezbollah but don’t destroy Beirut, where there is a million and two people already displaced in Beirut. —

NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destroy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy

Verb

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Accused of ruining baseball with their big-spending ways the past two years, the noise has only gotten louder as a labor showdown looms.

— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026