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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroys
Young people must understand clearly that violence destroys not only victims, but entire families and communities.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
But Bogan told the outlet those assurances fall short if construction bulldozes the critical turtle habitat, compromises the manmade earthen dam that holds the springs' pond, or destroys the mesquite thicket downstream where turtles shelter in winter.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Then comes the eruption of a giant, bright fireball that destroys the rocket and its launchpad.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that a person needs to walk, talk, swallow and breathe, according to the ALS Assn.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
This destroys the trust necessary for public health to function and forces the most vulnerable families into the shadows, exacerbating the very health inequities the city claims to be fighting.
—Dr. Mattie Renn, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Rather than using an explosive payload like many Ukrainian interceptors, the Yolka destroys the target by ramming it at a high speed.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The report said that traceability often fails because the physical structure of fiber supply chains destroys identity before most traceability systems begin.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
This slows growth, destroys social trust, increases judgment and moralism, and saps societal happiness.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
But Bogan told the outlet those assurances fall short if construction bulldozes the critical turtle habitat, compromises the manmade earthen dam that holds the springs' pond, or destroys the mesquite thicket downstream where turtles shelter in winter.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Then comes the eruption of a giant, bright fireball that destroys the rocket and its launchpad.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that a person needs to walk, talk, swallow and breathe, according to the ALS Assn.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
This destroys the trust necessary for public health to function and forces the most vulnerable families into the shadows, exacerbating the very health inequities the city claims to be fighting.
—Dr. Mattie Renn, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Rather than using an explosive payload like many Ukrainian interceptors, the Yolka destroys the target by ramming it at a high speed.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The report said that traceability often fails because the physical structure of fiber supply chains destroys identity before most traceability systems begin.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
This slows growth, destroys social trust, increases judgment and moralism, and saps societal happiness.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 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
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wildfire ravages Simi Valley as evacuations are underway.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
Greenhouses provide protection from scourges like tomato blight, which ravages otherwise beautiful crops in areas with cool, rainy weather.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deal, which was first announced last month, kills a ballot measure effort that could have cost San Diego $300 million by prohibiting the city from collecting anything for trash service during fiscal years 2028 and 2029.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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In 1995, Guidera landed the role of Robbie Llywelyn, the diabetic man that Natasha Henstridge’s Sil kills in Roger Donaldson’s Species.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.—
Karen R. Studer,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
Verb
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With the Land Rover Terrain Response System offering modes comprising Eco, Dynamic, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud & Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, and Wade, the tech takes the geographic and meteorological elements and slays them with a flick of a control.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after becoming husband and wife, Grace milks another loophole in the hide-and-seek rulebook and slays Titus, thereby sending the rest of the High Council to slaughter at the hands of their demonic overlord, Le Bail.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The two commit to a duel, each agreeing to fire their guns when a bottle of champagne rolls off the bar and shatters on the floor.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
This type of error creates friction and shatters trust.—
Jerry Haywood,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Again, don't wring the suit, which ruins the shape.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
-
Think about it the next time a presidential rant ruins your coffee.—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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Kyle Busch smashes a guitar in victory lane!—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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