1
as in demolishes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravages
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 kills
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 destroys
And God does and kills everybody and destroys everything.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
His stance joins a bipartisan chorus, including GOP leaders and Governor Shapiro, warning that inciting violence against Jewish neighbors destroys the path toward peace.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Because scarring alopecia destroys the hair follicles, the resulting hair loss is permanent.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The commercial features a future-like world, where a woman with a sledgehammer comes and destroys an IBM screen.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Composting leaves destroys juglone in 6 to 12 months, but hulls take much longer.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
For individual cellular damage, your body either repairs it or destroys the cell and replaces it.
—Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
Readers follow Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, after an alien invasion destroys the Earth, forcing many of the survivors into a sadistic, deadly game show for an intergalactic audience.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
His stance joins a bipartisan chorus, including GOP leaders and Governor Shapiro, warning that inciting violence against Jewish neighbors destroys the path toward peace.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Because scarring alopecia destroys the hair follicles, the resulting hair loss is permanent.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The commercial features a future-like world, where a woman with a sledgehammer comes and destroys an IBM screen.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Composting leaves destroys juglone in 6 to 12 months, but hulls take much longer.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
For individual cellular damage, your body either repairs it or destroys the cell and replaces it.
—Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
Readers follow Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, after an alien invasion destroys the Earth, forcing many of the survivors into a sadistic, deadly game show for an intergalactic audience.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroys
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This horror ravages Africa far beyond Nigeria.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
They're also usually eaten without cooking, a process that kills said bacteria.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
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Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Teyana Taylor slays in red at an event in Las Vegas, while Hudson Williams smiles for the cameras at Men's Fashion Week in Milan.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Chriselle Lim demonstrates that a precise center part, along with a straight style, is the perfect formula for a sharp bob that slays.—
Omenaa Boakye,
InStyle,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
After a possible murder shatters shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship, Imperfect Women kicks off into a high-octane thriller that is sure to keep us guessing until its final minute.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
4 Feb. 2026
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Imperfect Women, created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When fans see an exciting big hit, thinking about how the players might not know their own family members in 30 years ruins the fun.—
Eleanor M. Perfetto,
STAT,
7 Feb. 2026
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The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins centers around a former NFL star (Morgan) who attempts to put his life back together after a gambling scandal ruins him.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mane challenges Will to a round of one-and-one and basically smashes him.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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The bike then smashes into a metal barricade before coming to rest against a parked car.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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