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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That’s what happened to 64-year-old retired nurse Donna Niebauer when, over the course of one terrifying night, Hurricane Helene ravaged her peaceful mountain community of Burnsville, North Carolina and cut off power for more than two months.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Yes, the Lions were bounced from the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but to be fair, they were absolutely ravaged by injuries, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 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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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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If the city officially adds the structures to the dangerous buildings list, an inspector will issue orders to demolish them or repair them.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The disaster is remembered not just for its winds, but for the crushing surge of water that devastated rural Louisiana parishes and tore through the heart of New Orleans.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The children were among the 27 campers and counselors who died at the Christian all-girls’ camp during the flooding that caused the Guadalupe River to rise to historic levels, devastating the Texas Hill Country.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mangione is accused of slaying UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Men and boys have been targeted and slain on ethnic grounds.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.—
Elliot Spagat,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Jorma Taccone, one part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island, was hospitalized after shattering his pelvis upon falling 20 feet off a ladder at his home.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
5 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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