destroyed 1 of 2

destroyed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of destroy
1
as in demolished
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 destroyed
Verb
One residence was damaged and a minor structure was destroyed, according to an incident update. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 After powerful twin earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela and destroyed their home in the coastal town of Caraballeda last month, Maria and her brother Damian, 13, were taken in by their aunt, Mercedes Osul. Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 When the Ingallses return home their house is intact but their corn fields are destroyed. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026 Chicago awoke two days later to find almost 18,000 buildings destroyed, much of the city leveled, 90,000 people homeless and 300-some people dead. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was in office through one of the worst urban disasters in recent years as the Pacific Palisades fire destroyed more than 6,500 homes, according to city tallies. John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026 It was actually made for awards voters and meant to be destroyed. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026 In addition to the young couple, 12 neighbors were injured and 33 homes were destroyed, according to Indianapolis Monthly. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026 The Aspen Acres fire has likely destroyed more than 200 homes, but the fire conditions have stopped damage assessment teams from accessing some areas to get a clearer picture, Pueblo County officials said. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyed
Adjective
  • Sitting on the rim of his consciousness was always cataclysm, the muted whisper of a ruined world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • The 163rd Street Theatre was demolished in 1996 and today a Home Depot stands on the land.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
  • Structures on the site, at 1451 Sproule Avenue, were demolished in 2005.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • They’ve been ravaged by freak injuries throughout the season and have yet to find their stride.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • Newsom's state was ravaged by a trans athlete national media crisis in May, for the second year in a row and third time in total in one year, as prominent trans athlete AB Hernandez competed in girls' sports.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Israel retaliated with a massive military offensive that has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry says, around half of them women and children.
    Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Hayati did not provide further details on the people killed or injured.
    Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • Jury sees wrecked boat, crash re-enactment On the fourth day of trial, the jury hopped into a black Dodge van escorted by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
  • Antunez got out of the wrecked vehicle and tried to flee on foot but was arrested by an OHA officer.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • In the summer of 2024, Svalbard shattered previous ice melt records, losing more than 60 gigatons of ice, around 1% of its total, as temperatures spiked 7 degrees Fahrenheit above average.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
  • The surge shattered a four-year-old record of 99,445 GWh set back in July 2022.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Money is tight, especially since a plague has devastated the coffee harvest and destroyed the livelihoods of Miguel’s parents, Pino (Luis Alberti) and Teresa (Fátima Molina).
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • The luxury shopping center in Pacific Palisades will reopen next month after more than $100 million in renovations forced by the January 2025 wildfire that devastated the Los Angeles neighborhood.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Clean larger produce, like melons, with a brush and cut away any bruised or damaged portions.
    Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
  • The federal agency also recommends cutting away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
    Michelle Marchante July 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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