nuke

verb

Definition of nukenext
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of a pretty sizable piece of real estate would be nuked if an asteroid struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nuke And more recently, Cornyn was among many Republicans reluctant to nuke the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass the Save America Act to impose nationwide voter ID laws. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 27 May 2026 One of them nukes a ton of Gmail functionality, and neither is explained very well. — ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026 Our job is to be America First, which means protecting American interests and making sure Iran can’t nuke us. — Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2026 Now someone posts on social media that COVID-19, tariffs, or the war with Iran is going to nuke toilet paper stock, and strangers across the country start loading up their carts. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuke
  1. destroy
  2. demolish
  3. ruin
  4. devastate
  5. shatter
  6. wreck
  7. smash
Verb
  • The Inwood Fire Department said dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed at the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In Solomianskyi district, the top two floors of a 9-story residential building were destroyed and fires broke out on other floors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and wounded eight others as the barrage demolished homes, officials said Tuesday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Next steps for the Excelsior Club The site was demolished in July after engineering assessments determined the building was unsalvageable.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • This allegedly caused the cancellation of school recesses, and also ruining weddings and funerals.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Shane loves Ilya, but fears going public will ruin their careers.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • DeLind said that his former business partner, who passed away in February, had been devastated by the theft.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • His city had been the epicenter of the worst American riot in generations, and his country had thrown its support behind Israel, helping to devastate parts of his ancestral home.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Windows were shattered at a children’s hospital in the Solomianskyi district, said Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That was a cool metaphor of wanting each one of them to shatter a glass ceiling of sorts.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Video from the scene showed the BMW wrecked along the front driver's side with the airbags deployed.
    — Doug Williams, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The day marked their first day of high school and an astounding Hail Mary comeback for the Catholic school wrecked by a tornado June 11.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of wreck
Verb
  • The male driver and woman passenger reported that the officers smashed the car window during the late-night traffic stop in Phoenix, according to a statement from Phoenix police.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The male driver and female passenger reported that during the late-night traffic stop in Phoenix, the officers smashed the car window, according to a statement from Phoenix police.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of smash

Browse Nearby Words

nuisances
nuke
nuked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuke. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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