as in ruined
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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
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2
as in ravaged
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
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3
as in killed
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroyed
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
In Paradise, California, a community destroyed by wildfire adopted the ‘Wildfire Prepared Home Standard’ as its mandatory rebuilding benchmark.
—Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
At about the same time, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps had destroyed a vital and expensive E-3 AWACS aircraft, one of sixteen left in service, while it was parked at an air base deep inside Saudi Arabia.
—Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Her home there has now been destroyed.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026
Officials later reported that 30 homes were destroyed and another 29 sustained major damage, though no serious injuries were reported.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
More than 400 were destroyed in accordance with nuclear arms treaty agreements.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 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
Verb
The second inferno killed 12 people, destroyed 6,500 structures across the Palisades and Malibu and cost billions in damage and insurance claims.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
In Paradise, California, a community destroyed by wildfire adopted the ‘Wildfire Prepared Home Standard’ as its mandatory rebuilding benchmark.
—Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
At about the same time, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps had destroyed a vital and expensive E-3 AWACS aircraft, one of sixteen left in service, while it was parked at an air base deep inside Saudi Arabia.
—Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Her home there has now been destroyed.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026
Officials later reported that 30 homes were destroyed and another 29 sustained major damage, though no serious injuries were reported.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
More than 400 were destroyed in accordance with nuclear arms treaty agreements.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 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
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
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When the new plant opens, Fiveash will eventually be decommissioned and demolished, but not right away.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2026
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The existing residence was demolished, though plans to build a new house never moved forward.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Six people were on board the plane, including one person who was killed in the incident, police said.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
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Days before the five-year anniversary of the 2021 building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside, the federal government has published findings that determined the structure of the Champlain Towers South condominium started failing about three weeks before the catastrophe.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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In March, prolonged high temperatures shattered dozens of records in Southern California.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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Williams arrived to find the business' windows shattered, after the roof of nearby restaurant Jay's Backyard BBQ collapsed in the blaze.—
Sabrina Franza,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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In a phone interview with The Times, her sister, Vanessa Marseille, said the family was shocked and devastated over the incident.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Wilson was devastated by losing debates about the design of Congress and the presidency, and in particular by the convention’s refusal to acknowledge the centrality of regular people to the government.—
Jesse Wegman,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Cells called osteoclasts remove old or damaged bone, while osteoblasts build new bone in its place.—
Priya Bhardwaj,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
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For the best results, use its gummies to help stall the process from within; apply its serum daily to repair damaged follicles; and schedule professional sessions for its Xvie XO Concentrate, a peptide- and exosome-rich treatment designed to reactivate dormant follicles.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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