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
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
But there’s a bad man in the village who destroys everything.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
An excuse or explanation by itself, even while being transparent, destroys trust.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Beyond the immediate loss of land, erosion frequently exposes or destroys historic and archaeological sites.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Accordingly, the treatments misprescribed can be ineffective at best and harmful at worst, all while the parasite further destroys the cornea.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
House Bill 1011 also established a Level 1 felony if someone, without authorization of a patient, alters, forges, conceals or destroys a medication request.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
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
But there’s a bad man in the village who destroys everything.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
An excuse or explanation by itself, even while being transparent, destroys trust.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Beyond the immediate loss of land, erosion frequently exposes or destroys historic and archaeological sites.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Accordingly, the treatments misprescribed can be ineffective at best and harmful at worst, all while the parasite further destroys the cornea.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
House Bill 1011 also established a Level 1 felony if someone, without authorization of a patient, alters, forges, conceals or destroys a medication request.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 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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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,
20 Jan. 2026
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This horror ravages Africa far beyond Nigeria.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Early-morning strike kills 11, including two children Israeli troops fired on a building in the Tuffah neighborhood in northern Gaza, killing at least 11 people, most from the same family, said Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Small plane crash in Colombia kills 15 BOGOTA, Colombia -- A small plane crashed Wednesday in a rural area of Norte de Santander province in northeast Colombia, killing all 15 people on board including a member of congress, authorities said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 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
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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
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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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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
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As the vehicle pulls slowly away, Pretti kicks at the taillight and then delivers a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves the taillight dangling.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Exposure to high humidity and low temperatures can severely alter these items, which not only ruins their aesthetic beauty but also impacts their sound.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
25 Jan. 2026
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However, too much acid ruins the dish.—
Lewis Schiff,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When Mickey smashes the broom, each piece becomes a new water-fetching runaway robot.—
Bipul Sinha,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
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If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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