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
The smoke point is the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.
—
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
The Edith Hotel volunteered to wash linens and tablecloths for the couple, while also gathering picture frames and other decorations to replace those that were destroyed.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Isaias, the Eritrean president, had wanted to continue military action until the TPLF was completely destroyed.
—Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
The Edith Hotel volunteered to wash linens and tablecloths for the couple, while also gathering picture frames and other decorations to replace those that were destroyed.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Isaias, the Eritrean president, had wanted to continue military action until the TPLF was completely destroyed.
—Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 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.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But a sewer backup during this weekend's historic flood ruined 60 of the backpacks, Maya Bell reports.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Detroit Lions were ravaged by injuries for most of last season, and the team limped into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed with several injuries on defense, including star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Moore and her family have been navigating a challenging time after their home was among those ravaged by the deadly L.A. fires last January.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Weather systems Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter were classified as tropical storms earlier this year, as Barry caused flooding in southeastern Mexico and Central Texas, where flooding killed more than 130 people.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Desperate Housewives starred Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan as five women — mostly friends — living on Wisteria Lane, who begin uncovering dark secrets after their neighbor Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong) kills herself.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After partially collapsing on Sunday, one of the two Eutaw Street buildings condemned by the city’s housing department was being demolished Monday evening, as transportation officials advised that street closures likely will continue through Tuesday’s commute.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
-
And its new chair, Rep. Mike Flood, wants to demolish that assumption for good.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Dozens of people remain missing after heavy flash flooding and a mudslide devastated a village in northern India, killing at least four people, local officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Whether or not Congress cuts NIH’s budget, the Trump administration has devastated its ability to operate.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An additional three people have been slain this year in the 101st Precinct, which covers Far Rockaway from Beach 59th St. east to the Long Island border.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Earlier this year, inmates Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage and Donald Lashley were slain at the prison.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The chief said the suspect wrecked the vehicle before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Houses and sections of a port have been wrecked or swept out to sea.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share