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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
-
And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said that another 88 people have been killed by Israeli fire over the past 24 hours, raising the war’s toll among Palestinians to 56,500.—
Tia Goldenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 June 2025
Verb
-
Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Smith, a 21-year-old junior from Germantown, Tennessee, was slain on the street outside a bar in Fort Worth’s West 7th entertainment district.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 June 2025
-
From upscale dinners, business lunches, to fun nights with your girls at the concerts, and attending inspiring ESSENCE panels at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, these versatile outfits will easily take you from day to night, while slaying everyone in New Orleans.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
In the meantime, Aimee Gutierrez, Saint’s owner, and her family have been shattered by the loss and the deaths of the other dogs.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
These moves have shattered walls that have long kept data within the agencies that collect it.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 June 2025
-
All three spent Wednesday warning that Mamdani would wreck New York.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share