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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroys
Unfortunately, as with alcohol, gambling also destroys lives.
—
Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Israel routinely destroys equipment meant for reconstruction; Human Rights Watch found that Israel had destroyed more than 360 heavy machines — bulldozers, excavators, and factories producing asphalt and cement — in four different attacks in south Lebanon.
—Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The disease destroys the appearance and value of the trees, eventually killing infected trees, typically within a few years.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Analysts have warned that prices could top $100 a barrel if oil trade is disrupted for a prolonged period of time, or if the war spills over into neighboring countries and destroys oil infrastructure.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
In the original sci-fi novel, Victor Frankenstein is beseeched by his creation to create a companion, but after being plagued by visions of what this second attempt may bring (namely the breeding of additional monsters), the scientist destroys the companion before it is brought to life.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Politicizing the panel destroys that function.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
In 2024, a team identified the molecular mechanisms behind the microbe that destroys bananas.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
View gallery - 3 images Watch as a team of drones destroys their target in a demonstration of Fury.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Israel routinely destroys equipment meant for reconstruction; Human Rights Watch found that Israel had destroyed more than 360 heavy machines — bulldozers, excavators, and factories producing asphalt and cement — in four different attacks in south Lebanon.
—Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The disease destroys the appearance and value of the trees, eventually killing infected trees, typically within a few years.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Analysts have warned that prices could top $100 a barrel if oil trade is disrupted for a prolonged period of time, or if the war spills over into neighboring countries and destroys oil infrastructure.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
In the original sci-fi novel, Victor Frankenstein is beseeched by his creation to create a companion, but after being plagued by visions of what this second attempt may bring (namely the breeding of additional monsters), the scientist destroys the companion before it is brought to life.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Politicizing the panel destroys that function.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
In 2024, a team identified the molecular mechanisms behind the microbe that destroys bananas.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
View gallery - 3 images Watch as a team of drones destroys their target in a demonstration of Fury.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroys
Verb
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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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As of early Monday morning, nearly 150 flights at MIA had been impacted, and that's expected to increase as the winter storm ravages the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.—
February 23,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The tall green trees pop against the clear blue sky, until a wildfire ravages the forest and changes Grainger’s life.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Displaying superhuman strength, Frank kills them both, in front of shocked witnesses.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Excessive vinegar in this mix all but kills the key flavor ingredients.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
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The glass shatters with a spray that shimmers in the lantern light.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s, in fact, a lot of narrative chaos in the movie’s last third, from a pyramid scheme that ruins Junyang’s professional ego to the fact that Lydia, once she’s given birth, is basically cut out of the picture.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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