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
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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
Another building at the Islamic University in Gaza was struck and destroyed by several missiles, according to images and video from the scene.
—
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Motivated by Moore’s suspension, the Wolverines destroyed Central Michigan 63-3 Saturday in a display of wire-to-wire domination.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
In the opening months of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Bayraktar TB2 drone system enabled the Ukrainian military to destroy large Russian columns of equipment.
—Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
They got rid of a cypress and ants destroyed white birch trees, Ramona said.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Motivated by Moore’s suspension, the Wolverines destroyed Central Michigan 63-3 Saturday in a display of wire-to-wire domination.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
In the opening months of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Bayraktar TB2 drone system enabled the Ukrainian military to destroy large Russian columns of equipment.
—Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
They got rid of a cypress and ants destroyed white birch trees, Ramona said.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 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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On the news, Ukraine was ravaged.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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In November 1996, a fire ravaged the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Utah police on Friday arrested Tyler Robinson for allegedly killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, although his potential motive remains hazy.—
Claire Cameron,
semafor.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Key Background Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was killed in an unprovoked attack on a commuter rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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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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Deadly floods in Asia have devastated crops, crippling already fragile food production.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The glossy marketing doesn't include a footnote about trust funds, family support or the ability to absorb year-over-year losses that would devastate most working families.—
Elle Wang,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ashlee Simpson slayed in an all-black look featuring a cutout top and frayed asymmetrical hem.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Through tears, the father of slain Nasir Delaney-Rowland shared a statement in court that his son was one of a kind.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What would shatter any other nation has become our daily broadcast.—
John Feinblatt,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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These hopes are shattered when a brutish stranger appears on the doorstep to take his family back.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last week the hacks finally returned Read’s SUV, but with its electronics system totally wrecked.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Arguing further against a lopsided game, two Eagles defenders who wrecked Kansas City’s blocking in the Super Bowl have moved on.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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