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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravaged
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 killed
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ruined
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Homes and the nearby shops on North Fair Oaks had been destroyed.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Residents have posted photos online showing their houses destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Nearly 300 homes have been damaged or destroyed in Oklahoma due to fire.
—TIME, 15 Mar. 2025
In the first incident, a tornado completely destroyed the building.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Just six were destroyed or damaged on the ground.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
In fact, most of the 33 Ukrainian MiGs the Russians have destroyed or damaged—out of around 50 pre-war jets plus another 24 Ukraine has received from its NATO allies—were hit in the air.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The move drew intense international criticism as even before the war the over 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza relied on international aid, something that's only intensified after a grinding Israeli military offensive destroyed the enclave.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced most of the population and left nearly everyone dependent on international aid.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Homes and the nearby shops on North Fair Oaks had been destroyed.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Residents have posted photos online showing their houses destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Nearly 300 homes have been damaged or destroyed in Oklahoma due to fire.
—TIME, 15 Mar. 2025
In the first incident, a tornado completely destroyed the building.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Just six were destroyed or damaged on the ground.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
In fact, most of the 33 Ukrainian MiGs the Russians have destroyed or damaged—out of around 50 pre-war jets plus another 24 Ukraine has received from its NATO allies—were hit in the air.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The move drew intense international criticism as even before the war the over 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza relied on international aid, something that's only intensified after a grinding Israeli military offensive destroyed the enclave.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyed
Verb
-
And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.—
Lexy Perez,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Believing their beloved team already ruined mock drafting for the next two months, New York Giants fans probably hope for a loss against a Philadelphia Eagles team expected to rest starters Sunday.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Stretford End was demolished and replaced.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The area has remained surface parking lots since 2012, when the arena was demolished.—
Ryan Deto,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
While Walking to School Bus Stop Jordan’s dad, who wasn’t in the vehicle, is devastated.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Lewis witnessed school closures that critics said devastated the South and West sides.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The venture devised by stars Tiger Woods and Rory Mcilroy was intended to launch a year ago but a storm wrecked the building.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Knee and shoulder injuries wrecked her 2024 season, with the Tunisian speaking about needing regular knee injections to be able to play following a third-round defeat to Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon in July.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
28 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share