as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a pretty sizable piece of real estate would be nuked if an asteroid struck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nuke
All your hungry grad needs to do is add noodles and water and nuke it in the microwave for a quick meal.
—
Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 16 May 2025
From co-creators Powell and Michael Waldron, the half-hour comedy follows hotshot QB Russ Holliday (Powell), whose bad behavior nukes his college career.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Ocasio-Cortez looks very much like the candidate who could generate huge enthusiasm in a primary and then get nuked in a general election.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
And if Netflix or any other streaming service has gotten stale, try nuking your view history and starting over.
—Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nuke
Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 16 May 2025
From co-creators Powell and Michael Waldron, the half-hour comedy follows hotshot QB Russ Holliday (Powell), whose bad behavior nukes his college career.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Ocasio-Cortez looks very much like the candidate who could generate huge enthusiasm in a primary and then get nuked in a general election.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
And if Netflix or any other streaming service has gotten stale, try nuking your view history and starting over.
—Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuke
Verb
-
In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
After partially collapsing on Sunday, one of the two Eutaw Street buildings condemned by the city’s housing department was being demolished Monday evening, as transportation officials advised that street closures likely will continue through Tuesday’s commute.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
-
And its new chair, Rep. Mike Flood, wants to demolish that assumption for good.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Freezing her eggs was a priority because chemotherapy could ruin her chances of fertility and natural birth.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.—
Linggong Kong,
The Conversation,
22 July 2025
-
Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Keenan’s only injuries were from the car’s shattered glass, but Denaro was shot five times and needed a metal plate to replace a part of his skull, which was shattered by the bullets.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
That sense of serenity was shattered Monday when a man stormed the Midtown building with an assault rifle and unleashed a hailstorm of bullets, killing three people in the lobby.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some drugs, particularly antibiotics, can wreck the gut microbiome fast.—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
30 July 2025
-
The New York Post reported that teams were reaching out to the Mets about Blackburn in June, before a spate of injuries temporarily wrecked New York’s starting depth.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson, Anthony drew a walk and Alex Bregman smashed a three-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 3-2.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 July 2025
-
Chloe Kelly stood up once again for the winning moment, smashing her kick past the Spanish goalkeeper and securing England’s second European crown.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuke. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share