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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroying
The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The 2025 wildfires tore through entire neighborhoods, destroying businesses and displacing tens of thousands.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The strikes have already prevented the production of at least 1,500 ballistic missiles while destroying hundreds already in Iran’s arsenal, according to the IDF.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
American planners are well aware that this is an unsustainable rate of trade, which is why both Israel and the United States have made destroying ballistic-missile launchers a top priority.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Several homeless residents have also filed complaints against San Jose, accusing the city of lacking due process and even deliberately destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of items even while assuring the owners that their belongings were safe.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Meeting the goals of Operation Epic Fury (destroying Iran’s nuclear program and dismantling its army, missile and drone capabilities) will put the Middle East on the cusp of historic change.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The 2025 wildfires tore through entire neighborhoods, destroying businesses and displacing tens of thousands.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The strikes have already prevented the production of at least 1,500 ballistic missiles while destroying hundreds already in Iran’s arsenal, according to the IDF.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
American planners are well aware that this is an unsustainable rate of trade, which is why both Israel and the United States have made destroying ballistic-missile launchers a top priority.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Several homeless residents have also filed complaints against San Jose, accusing the city of lacking due process and even deliberately destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of items even while assuring the owners that their belongings were safe.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Meeting the goals of Operation Epic Fury (destroying Iran’s nuclear program and dismantling its army, missile and drone capabilities) will put the Middle East on the cusp of historic change.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroying
Verb
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Trump has long mocked Bush for ruining his presidency by invading Iraq, and his administration over the past week has sought to downplay any parallels between Bush’s misadventures and its own attack on Iran.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
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The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Because the nerves were already ravaging his poise.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Three glide bombs struck the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, killing four people, the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin, said Tuesday.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, a driver was rescued after calling 911 when her Chevy sedan stalled in high water, wrecking just off the road in Morgan Township, according to dispatchers.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
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Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
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Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 16-year-old son of slaying victim Yesenia Hall heard his mom’s screams from the bedroom of their third-floor apartment early Saturday.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
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Robert Early Madden, 37, was found guilty by a San Diego Superior Court jury of first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of committing the killing during a robbery for the July 15, 2024, slaying of 38-year-old Senait Legesse.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The arena, which would host sports, concerts and other events, is is expected to cost around $242 million to build, though the entire renovation, which includes demolishing the 58-year-old Millet Hall and installing parking near Cook Field, could cost up to $281 million.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Other possibilities involve demolishing the structure for street-level transit or repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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