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 storm could destroy structures, knock down trees, and damage power lines.
—
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Though the role required sacrificing vanity, when Catherine's father (Ralph Richardson) destroys her chances to marry a gold-digger (Montgomery Clift), the double betrayal transforms the shy woman into an iron maiden.
—Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
During the tantrum, the child verbally abuses the parent and also destroys property within the home.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
The power of drug cartels over much of Latin America is destroying lives and creating national security risks for the United States.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Though the role required sacrificing vanity, when Catherine's father (Ralph Richardson) destroys her chances to marry a gold-digger (Montgomery Clift), the double betrayal transforms the shy woman into an iron maiden.
—Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
During the tantrum, the child verbally abuses the parent and also destroys property within the home.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
The power of drug cartels over much of Latin America is destroying lives and creating national security risks for the United States.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
-
The evening's historic tie almost gets totally ruined For only the seventh time in history, the Oscar vote ended in a tie.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Chargers, meanwhile, take an offensive lineman to address the need that haunted them all last season after they were ravaged by injuries up front.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Buenos Aires, at the time, was ravaged by the disease, and Prager says that project was one of the most meaningful of his life.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father, Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader after the ayatollah was killed at the start of the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The World Health Organization and Lebanese health authorities said more than 100 of those killed were children.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.—
Raf Sanchez,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
-
With the convention center demolished for renovations, festivalgoers moving between key areas like Rainey Street and Congress Avenue felt the city’s transportation gaps more acutely.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Longtime Joliet resident Kathleen Garthus said other development in the city has left her homeless, and she's devastated to see the pattern continue.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Chavez’s family said in a statement that they are devastated by news of the allegations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Taylor, 35, has been slaying this award season, not only on the red carpet but also by earning an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in Paul Thomas Anderson's action dramedy.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Demorcy said some bullets and fragments remained in the slain president's body because removing all of them would have taken days and further damaged the remains.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the recent start of the Iran war has shattered the image of peace in the United Arab Emirates’ largest city.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But an unseasonably early heat wave expected to last through at least the weekend has already shattered daily high-temperature records, and in some places monthly records, and is prompting officials to warn of the risk of leaving children or pets in cars earlier than usual.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The episode about Secret Squirrel and the perils of surveillance culture feels more relevant than ever, as does the climate-change episode in which the time-traveling Jetson family sues people of the present for wrecking their future.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Zelenskyy said late Monday that counterattacks by Ukrainian forces at eastern and southern points along the front line have wrecked Moscow's plans for a March offensive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
