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
The crash sparked a fire that destroyed the aircraft, which was operating as a skydiving flight, according to the NTSB. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 June 2026 The fire burned more than 60 acres and destroyed several structures, including homes, according to CBS Los Angeles. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 This accident in late May destroyed the rocket and severely damaged the New Glenn booster’s only launch pad. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026 Someone rode a bike in a store on Winchester Boulevard, ran over a table and destroyed a cake worth about $40. Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 Tornadoes downed power lines and destroyed houses. Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Gregg Allman, the legendary frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, fought a decades-long battle with personal demons that nearly destroyed him. Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 The video and the SCE data offer proof that the 100-year-old line, which hadn’t been used since the early 1970s, became re-electrified and sparked the fire that killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena and surrounding areas, attorneys say. Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 10 June 2026 The Ukrainian air force said at least 146 Russian drones had been destroyed. ABC News, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyed
Adjective
  • His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Last week, an iconic cafe was demolished at the base of the structure, and on Sunday, some residents were wondering if excavation work three weeks ago may have contributed to the pier's collapse.
    John Ramos, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • Without any fencing or protective outer layer, the house was demolished in 1902, devoured by cows.
    Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • In recent months, Ukraine has time and again attacked Russian energy infrastructure in a bid to both dent the Kremlin's war chest and bring the reality of a war that has ravaged Ukraine home to Russians as well.
    Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 June 2026
  • The good news is that skies have since cleared, but for much of Wednesday morning and afternoon, residents in Streator, about 90 miles southwest of Chicago and already ravaged by an EF-3 tornado, were getting pummeled with rain.
    Noel Brennan, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • All 12 people on board, including 11 skydivers and a pilot, were killed in the incident, authorities said.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • Air Force officials did not immediately identify the eight people killed or explain why there were more people aboard than the bomber’s standard crew complement.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • The driver got out of the wrecked vehicle and tried to run away but was arrested by an OHA officer, police said.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • The officer pulled his weapon and ordered him to stay in the wrecked car.
    Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Nothing shattered, nothing broke, in video of the testing provided to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution by MARTA.
    Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 13 June 2026
  • The school’s windows were cracked, some shattered, while the roof had peeled off in places.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Screwworms pose a deadly threat to wildlife and livestock and have, in the past, devastated the American cattle industry.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • Yes, Spotify has dropped the (disco) ball, changing the divisive app icon back to the old classic one on iOS and some users will be happy, while a small number will be devastated.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Multiple agencies from the region helped local first responders search and assess damaged areas, town officials said on social media.
    DAVE COLLINS, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
  • Residents began sharing reports on neighborhood Facebook groups in recent days, with several posting photos of damaged tires and doorbell camera footage from around the area of 77th Street to 81st Street, between Brookside Street and Oak Street.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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