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
Giant sheets of plastic hang from the ceiling to separate different areas for destroying things and painting.
—
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Pests and wood-destroying organisms Charlotte’s warm, humid climate makes termites a year-round threat, not just seasonal.
—Ryan Brennan
may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
That area remains closed after the Palisades fire damaged the trail, destroying the Chicken Ridge Bridge.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Weapon neutralizes threats Known as a soft-kill weapon, the technology neutralizes threats without physically exploding or destroying them.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
As patrons evacuated, Morgan drove across the pavement and smashed the bulldozer into the pub’s porch, destroying outside walls and causing roughly £22,000 in damage, according to the outlet.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Most bird nests are protected under a federal law that prohibits destroying inhabited nests or taking eggs and chicks.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Rather than destroying infrastructure or fully cutting off access, Ukrainian forces can focus on military logistics while limiting broader damage.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
At first, this appears to be a typical 1950s etiquette book for women, albeit one that seems extremely fixated on destroying the reader’s self-esteem.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Pests and wood-destroying organisms Charlotte’s warm, humid climate makes termites a year-round threat, not just seasonal.
—Ryan Brennan
may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
That area remains closed after the Palisades fire damaged the trail, destroying the Chicken Ridge Bridge.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Weapon neutralizes threats Known as a soft-kill weapon, the technology neutralizes threats without physically exploding or destroying them.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
As patrons evacuated, Morgan drove across the pavement and smashed the bulldozer into the pub’s porch, destroying outside walls and causing roughly £22,000 in damage, according to the outlet.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Most bird nests are protected under a federal law that prohibits destroying inhabited nests or taking eggs and chicks.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Rather than destroying infrastructure or fully cutting off access, Ukrainian forces can focus on military logistics while limiting broader damage.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
At first, this appears to be a typical 1950s etiquette book for women, albeit one that seems extremely fixated on destroying the reader’s self-esteem.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroying
Verb
-
Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With disease ravaging Earth, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) leads a group of astronauts out on an incredibly dangerous mission through a wormhole on a last-ditch attempt at finding somewhere else to live.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
The Thunder dug in their heels through two Game 7s, a title run and a season of ravaging injury luck.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Minutes later, Marrero slammed into Trainor's unmarked SUV, killing both men.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
His support of wolves, including a Mexican wolf breeding program on the Ladder Ranch in New Mexico, drew the ire of ranching organizations that were raising the alarm about wild wolves killing livestock.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The line was a wrecking crew that also managed to outscore the opposition.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Victor Wembanyama delivered another masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defense for the San Antonio Spurs, who took a 2-1 lead in the second-round NBA playoff series with a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Declining demand and cheap imports meant most mines had closed by the 1990s, devastating an economy built around them.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
-
Right now, communities are still waiting on disaster funding after devastating wildfires.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of slaying a burgundy and blue dragon by taking out the Avs’ second-best player, the Wild officially woke up the beast.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
Behold, summer is officially here with two movies that are slaying around the globe.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The work included demolishing one stand entirely to create the space required to facilitate those media demands.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
-
While the Israel Defense Forces continue to dismantle the physical fortress — recently demolishing the largest Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon — the Iranian people are dismantling the regime’s internal legitimacy.—
Liram Koblentz-Stenzler,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Throughout its run, the production has become a box office phenomenon, repeatedly shattering house records and becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross more than $1 million in a single week.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
In what was undoubtedly earth shattering news for anyone with a tattoo of a chef's knife on their forearm, the trailer for the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, dropped this week.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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