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
Residents of one village in the Gironde region of France returned to find their homes charred and destroyed by the wildfire which has ripped through them. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 Yet with a lack of funds, officials halted further work, leaving the stands partially destroyed and deserted. Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 The main Gironde fire has burned through 32,700 hectares, roughly three times the size of Paris, and 140 houses have been destroyed, according to an update from local officials. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 25 July 2026 Joshua survived the opening flurry from the upstart Albanian, regained his form in the second frame and destroyed Prenga in the second frame. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 And abundance, not incompetence, is what destroyed its price. François Candelon, Fortune, 24 July 2026 Cal Fire officials reported the wildfire destroyed 713 homes, businesses and other buildings while damaging 57 others. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 In Georgia numerous homes were damaged or destroyed in Seminole and Dougherty counties, with Seminole county reporting damage to nearly all residences and Dougherty county reporting the destruction of 49 of the 3,000 homes that were damaged. Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 The 1951 Flood claimed lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and scattered one of Kansas City’s largest Hispanic communities. Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 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 iconic outdoor mall still has a few places open before it is demolished.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Etna’s country prevails but is demolished in the process; its people and animals are left wrecked, hungry, and homeless.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • This new Ebola outbreak is occurring in an area that a large Zaire ebolavirus outbreak — the second largest on record — ravaged in 2018 through 2020.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 22 July 2026
  • Although the speech part of her brain was ravaged, the music area remains intact, Kelly told me.
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • At age 12, Collinson ran his first mile for Running 4 Heroes, a nonprofit that honors, through one-mile runs, first responders and K9s injured or killed in the line of duty, while also providing support through fundraising and community initiatives.
    Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • Israel responded with an intense aerial and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip, where more than 73,000 people have been killed, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says.
    Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • Police and first responders were already on scene, cutting the roof off the wrecked car to rescue the individuals inside, who were put into ambulances.
    Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • The second flood has left behind more than wrecked homes, reopening trauma wounds for many survivors.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Ashley’s leg was shattered and the couple’s daughter was in a neck brace for months.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • If this tissue is shattered, all of the microbes inside of it spread into the water and change the nutrient composition.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • When hurricanes devastated the area in 1900 and 1915, the oyster industry remained strong.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
  • Paul, as a father of six, was devastated to hear of their anguish.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • While sporting a bare look is often the best way to help damaged nails, already frail nails can be more susceptible to breaking without a layer of protective polish.
    Alexis Berger, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • Dry hair will feel rough and look dull, while damaged hair will feel weak, brittle, and often break.
    Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 25 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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