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
Flames destroyed 1,490 structures, mostly homes around the town of Boulder Creek.
—
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
After a fire destroyed the home, Irvan built a new one in 2001, according to the broker.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Bubbles form and pop within the infected tissue, rupturing and destroying the tumor.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The area saw one of the first major wildfires of last season: the Corral Fire, which erupted in June 2024 near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Site 300, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed one home and prompted the closure of Interstate 580.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
After a fire destroyed the home, Irvan built a new one in 2001, according to the broker.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Bubbles form and pop within the infected tissue, rupturing and destroying the tumor.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The area saw one of the first major wildfires of last season: the Corral Fire, which erupted in June 2024 near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Site 300, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed one home and prompted the closure of Interstate 580.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 19 June 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.—
Sara Schilling,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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The front nine, which has ruined more than a handful of U.S. Open rounds over the last two days, proved to be much tougher.—
Troy Finnegan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
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But chemotherapy has also ravaged Tennant’s body and his quality of life.—
Lauren Sausser,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2025
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According to CoStar, the blazes wiped out almost $31 billion in property values, ravaging about 11,000 properties between homes and businesses.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Some residents cited New Orleans’ resilience during tough times – think Hurricane Katrina or after 14 were killed this year after a man drove a speeding truck into New Year’s Day revelers on Bourbon Street – and took it in stride.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
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In the moments after the chase, Rivera was shot and killed by her own partner, authorities have said.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Thirteen years after the nursing home shut down, a developer is proposing to demolish the vacant building and put up 160 apartments.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
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The city intended to demolish the building and turn it into a parking lot.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2025
Verb
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While everyone gives the duo a standing ovation, Zoe and company are devastated, knowing the truth.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
20 June 2025
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In 1856, Costa Ricans defeat Walker, but cholera devastates the land.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Their purpose was to slay dragons, so Watkins carried that lore into his designs.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 June 2025
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At least six nuclear scientists, along with an unspecified number of civilians, including women and children, were also said to have been slain.—
Tom O'Connor
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Windshields of cars were shattered, bulldozers were removing rubble.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
14 June 2025
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The warheads aimed to do more than shatter concrete; they were meant to buy time, according to news reports.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 June 2025
Verb
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DeChambeau became the first defending champion to miss the cut at the national championship since Gary Woodland in 2020 — his round wrecked by errant drives, knucklers out of the rough and putts that would not drop.—
Apress,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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When the blowback from this problem child’s dodgy associations threatens to wreck her life, the everymatriarch steps in.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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