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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes — even though they have likely been damaged or destroyed.
—
Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County's Pacific Palisades, was 84% contained as of Sunday after burning more than 23,000 acres, destroying nearly 7,000 structures and killing 11 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
—Daniel Amarante, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Before his death in 2008, Newman had interviewed many of his peers on tape, only to later destroy the tapes.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Some 12,000 structures — buildings and cars — have been destroyed so far, and with them many tons of property of all levels of sentimental meaning.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for destroy 
Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County's Pacific Palisades, was 84% contained as of Sunday after burning more than 23,000 acres, destroying nearly 7,000 structures and killing 11 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
—Daniel Amarante, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Before his death in 2008, Newman had interviewed many of his peers on tape, only to later destroy the tapes.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Some 12,000 structures — buildings and cars — have been destroyed so far, and with them many tons of property of all levels of sentimental meaning.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 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.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
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The Weeknd nearly ruins the weekend Ladies and gentlemen, the… weakest link of the night?—
Gerrad Hall,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The benefit concert, which was organized by Lindsey Hartman in response to the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January, also featured performances from Finneas, Courtney Barnett, the Luna Lunas, Lucy Dacus, St. Vincent, Perfume Genius, and more.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
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The case has particular resonance in the wake of massive wildfires that ravaged the Los Angeles area last month, killing at least 29 people and destroying more than 16,000 structures.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of people are killed on the job every year in the United States.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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One victim was killed and five are currently injured.—
Emily Burns,
WWD,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the restaurant was later demolished to make way for Interstate 805.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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The roof and several walls of her modest home have been demolished, leaving Jahjouh with just one room covered with a makeshift roof.—
Tareq Al Hilou,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Overnight, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Malibu, where homes and businesses were destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes to devastate Los Angeles County this month.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2025
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In the same month that multiple fires devastated Los Angeles County, the Border 2 Fire sparked and set over 6,000 acres ablaze in San Diego County, prompting more evacuation orders, according to officials.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer might live to slay another day.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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The bipartisan act, the first piece of legislation approved during Trump’s second term, was named for Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was slain last year by a Venezuelan man in the U.S. illegally.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The loss is just beyond description and my heart is shattered.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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In the book his sense of complacency as a middle-class Jewish American is shattered by the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and the resurgence of the far right.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Probiotics and fiber can cause uncomfortable symptoms, like diarrhea and bloating, that can wreck performance.—
Julia Ries,
Outside Online,
29 Jan. 2025
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The first step is to open your eyes to the big, disruptive forces at play that could wreck your business.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
26 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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