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
This is the signature style of Russian killers — to destroy life by all methods at their disposal.
—
Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
The metal conversion facility that Ratcliffe said was destroyed was located at the Isfahan nuclear facility.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Even with care, droplets of water can seep into your gear, wreaking havoc and possibly even destroying your items completely.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Kanye West fired multiple PR firms before his antisemitic meltdowns destroyed billion-dollar partnerships with Adidas and Gap.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
The metal conversion facility that Ratcliffe said was destroyed was located at the Isfahan nuclear facility.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Even with care, droplets of water can seep into your gear, wreaking havoc and possibly even destroying your items completely.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Kanye West fired multiple PR firms before his antisemitic meltdowns destroyed billion-dollar partnerships with Adidas and Gap.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Now a wonderful memory of the occasion will be ruined in my memories.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
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The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
Verb
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In Please Don't Feed the Children, Destry's camera follows a group of teenagers on the run in a dystopian United States ravaged by disease.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
25 June 2025
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Newcomer Alfie Williams breathes new life into the pulsating horror as Spike, a 12-year-old boy who resides on a small British island with a community of survivors, 28 years after the rage virus first ravaged the United Kingdom.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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In that incident, a rooftop gunman fired at Trump from roughly 150 yards away, grazing his right ear and killing one attendee, Corey Comperatore, before Secret Service agents shot the attacker dead.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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The legislation didn’t kill Biden-era tax credits for manufacturers, as some had feared.—
Aarian Marshall,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.—
Shane Connuck
June 26,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Mission members slain In a letter to the Security Council, Kenya President William Ruto said the security mission his country is spearheading up in Haiti needs more equipment and operational support.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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But he wasn’t charged in that case for 10 months, and an arrest warrant wasn’t sought for Garcia Aquino until three days before Omar was slain.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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