1
as in demolished
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravaged
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killed
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ruined
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroyed
Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Hadid was commissioned to design it for a fire brigade on the Vitra Campus after a major 1981 fire destroyed most of the complex, which originally consisted of factory buildings but is now a collection of contemporary design and architecture showrooms.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Cockpit and flight controls maintained flight control continuity, but cockpit instrumentation and electronic displays were destroyed in the fire.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
In a siege that lasted nearly three months, from March until May 2022, Russian forces had destroyed 90 percent of residential buildings — as well as hospitals, supermarkets, and schools.
—Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
In many cases, humans had destroyed their habitat by cutting down forests, draining wetlands and converting grasslands to agriculture.
—Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
In trying to preserve his power, Gorbachev destroyed the structure that gave it to him.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Rather than following the recycled trend that sees new jeans made just to be deliberately destroyed, Kappahl suggests considering more clever creations.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Alternatively, a star being ripped apart in TDE could produce a day-long GRB, but this scenario fails to replicate other properties of the GRB 250702B, an explosion that would require a very unusual star being destroyed by an even stranger black hole.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Hadid was commissioned to design it for a fire brigade on the Vitra Campus after a major 1981 fire destroyed most of the complex, which originally consisted of factory buildings but is now a collection of contemporary design and architecture showrooms.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Cockpit and flight controls maintained flight control continuity, but cockpit instrumentation and electronic displays were destroyed in the fire.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
In a siege that lasted nearly three months, from March until May 2022, Russian forces had destroyed 90 percent of residential buildings — as well as hospitals, supermarkets, and schools.
—Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
In many cases, humans had destroyed their habitat by cutting down forests, draining wetlands and converting grasslands to agriculture.
—Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
In trying to preserve his power, Gorbachev destroyed the structure that gave it to him.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Rather than following the recycled trend that sees new jeans made just to be deliberately destroyed, Kappahl suggests considering more clever creations.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyed
Verb
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When faced with Cherry going berserk, what can Laura do but visit Cherry’s mother and learn that Cherry nearly killed her dad and ruined an ex-boyfriend’s wedding by filling his cake with raw pig parts?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
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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This contagious malady has ravaged Norfolk County over the past few years.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On the news, Ukraine was ravaged.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Evergreen High School is located about 20 miles from Columbine High School, the site of an infamous 1999 mass shooting that killed 12 students and a teacher.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Conservative commentator Will Cain observed a moment of silence on his Fox News show after a gunman shot and killed Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hours later, after another warning was posted on X by the Israeli military, a multi-story building in Gaza City was struck but not demolished.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
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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Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland said she was devastated and angry about the shooting.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
June’s death in May 2003 left the music legend devastated.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The wrecked streetcar is colored yellow and white and was named the Elevador da Gloria.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
He was found in Laughry Creek near the wrecked SUV and was dressed in only his underwear, the prosecutor said.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Getty Images The nascent campaign has already shattered the record for philanthropic money raised in support of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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When your industry is being shattered by greed?—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle takes it one step further, creating a paddle brush that’s delicate enough for thinning and damaged strands.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Chargers generate heat, and with older or damaged ones, that can create a fire risk.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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