Synonyms of destroy

destroy

verb

di-ˈstrȯi 

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

• ruin
• demolish
• devastate
• shatter
• wreck
• smash
• overcome
• damage
• waste
• annihilate
• erode
• extinguish
• decimate
• vaporize
• kill
• dismantle
• cripple
• pulverize
• raze
• ravage
• mar
• remove
• crush
• desolate
• defeat
• cream
• injure
• tear down
• subdue
• pull down
• break
• total
• nuke
• rub out
• blast
• conquer
• spoil
• wrack
• do in
• disintegrate
• best
• eradicate
• impair
• harm
• obliterate
• dissolve
• assassinate
• deteriorate
• mutilate
• disfigure
• lick
• trim
• master
• win (against)
• prevail (over)
• surmount
• deface
• triumph (over)
• exterminate
• vitiate
• undo
• sweep (away)
• slaughter
• rout
• wear (away)
• beat
• dynamite
• whip
• extirpate
• blow up
• disassemble
• plunder
• expunge
• thrash
• mangle
• slay
• scour
• wipe out
• liquidate
• scotch
• clobber
• unmake
• sack
• havoc
• despoil
• wash out
• fell
• execute
• vandalize
• trounce
• overbear
• trample
• efface
• murder
• loot
• overmatch
• blot out
• gut
• take down
• pillage
• cut down
• zap
• kill off
• massacre
• snuff (out)
• unbuild
• drub
• stamp (out)
• dispatch
• dilapidate
• take out
• wallop
• trash
• butcher
• root (out)
• mow (down)
• skunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• construct
• raise
• create
• set up
• erect
• repair
• put up
• fix
• produce
• patch
• make
• rear
• protect
• establish
• invent
• form
• found
• mend
• manufacture
• preserve
• assemble
• save
• shape
• constitute
• organize
• forge
• fabricate
• restore
• bring about
• mold
• institute
• revamp
• recondition
• conserve
• rebuild
• frame
• fashion
• reconstruct
• doctor
• father
• renovate
• remodel

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

• ravage
• devastate
• ruin
• plunder
• scourge
• obliterate
• eradicate
• overwhelm
• wreck
• shatter
• sack
• annihilate
• despoil
• demolish
• vaporize
• desolate
• extinguish
• wipe out
• extirpate
• decimate
• expunge
• strip
• pillage
• loot
• waste
• smash
• overthrow
• total
• mow
• harry
• raze
• nuke
• overpower
• overrun
• maraud
• wrack
• foray
• crush
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• recover
• rehabilitate
• redeem
• repair
• fix
• patch
• recondition
• mend
• revamp

3

as in to kill

to deprive of life

regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kill
• slay
• take
• dispatch
• fell
• claim
• carry off
• murder
• slaughter
• assassinate
• do for
• neutralize
• do away with
• annihilate
• croak
• do in
• decimate
• waste
• cut down
• make away with
• finish
• execute
• off
• smite
• kill off
• massacre
• take out
• mow
• butcher
• put away
• whack
• terminate
• blot out
• snuff
• get
• ice
• bump off
• rub out
• knock off
• suicide
• scrag
• put down
• euthanize
• martyr

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• revive
• raise
• animate
• resurrect
• nurture
• resuscitate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of destroy

Then there are rabbitfish that can devour algae from the sea bottom, destroying the habitat for many indigenous species. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Russia says its attack targeted military sites Zelensky said at least 10 Ukrainian regions were attacked, with dozens of homes, businesses and infrastructure facilities destroyed or damaged. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

All of this felt like another admission of defeat—officials destroying Seattle in the name of saving it. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Two powerful quakes in April 2016 killed more than 260 people and destroyed thousands of homes. — USA Today, 30 July 2026