1
as in ruining
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 ravaging
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 killing
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroying
For decades, factories discharged pollution into waterways and wetlands, destroying natural habitats and forcing residents to live in the shadow of smokestacks and refineries.
—
Gretchen Kalwinski, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
In my view, Iran is hellbent on destroying Israel and America.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Then, in July 2024, a wildfire swept through the canyon, destroying buildings and damaging much of the landscape.
—Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears intent on pursuing his goal of destroying the militant group.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
In July 2025, fires broke out across Punta Molentis, destroying nearly 250 acres of forest and forcing the emergency evacuation of beachgoers by boat.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
In July 1936, at the beginning of Spain’s civil war, anti-clericalist anarchist groups stormed the basilica and set fire to the crypt and Gaudí’s workshop, destroying many of his plans.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
It was compounded when a West Contra Costa storage unit caught fire, destroying Alvin’s belongings, their mother testified.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
A little more than a generation later, Germany came close to destroying Western civilization.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Gretchen Kalwinski, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
In my view, Iran is hellbent on destroying Israel and America.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Then, in July 2024, a wildfire swept through the canyon, destroying buildings and damaging much of the landscape.
—Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears intent on pursuing his goal of destroying the militant group.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
In July 2025, fires broke out across Punta Molentis, destroying nearly 250 acres of forest and forcing the emergency evacuation of beachgoers by boat.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
In July 1936, at the beginning of Spain’s civil war, anti-clericalist anarchist groups stormed the basilica and set fire to the crypt and Gaudí’s workshop, destroying many of his plans.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
It was compounded when a West Contra Costa storage unit caught fire, destroying Alvin’s belongings, their mother testified.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
A little more than a generation later, Germany came close to destroying Western civilization.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroying
Verb
-
Two runners scored, ruining Tech ace Nijaree Canady’s shutout.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers are ruining baseball.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Temperatures have risen in oceans faster due to climate change, super-charging storms and drought, ravaging coral reefs across the world, and endangering species in tandem with overfishing and industrial pollution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
And with injuries ravaging Canada’s back line, Sigur has the quality to quickly become an important part of their World Cup.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Those humans had been killing elk for a very long time and may have even followed the elk and bison onto the continent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Anthony, now 19, was accused of killing Metcalf on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Belt-Stubblefield did not stop and ended up wrecking his car.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
The kind of game-wrecking force that the Rams enjoyed playing behind during Aaron Donald’s tenure, and one the defense has missed since Donald’s retirement prior to the 2024 season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The British government refused to subsidize food prices or restrict exports of Irish agricultural goods, further devastating the island.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
The carp have already shifted Mississippi River ecosystems by crowding out native fish, devastating some areas.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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When Kostyuk hired Zaniewska, her main experience coaching on the WTA Tour was with Alizé Cornet, the French player with a penchant for slaying top-10 stars at Grand Slams.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
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Amara Marluke, 19, was attending Portland State University and was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Keenan Harpole, then 20, before her slaying in April 2022.—
Corin Cesaric,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, many media observers—inside and outside the network—have gone so far as to suggest that demolishing the status quo seems to be central to Weiss’s mandate.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
In February 2024, police gave him and his wife minutes to pack before demolishing their home.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Over the prairie there would be lightning that evening, dropping in shattering bolts from swollen purple clouds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Renowned for his defense-shattering runs, vision, and dribbling, his time at FC Barcelona was legendary.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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