nuke

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

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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 Criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) plans to nuke the San Andreas fault, turning his cheaply acquired Californian housing empire into lucrative beachfront property in the process. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 July 2025 Within weeks, the U.S. nuked the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of World War II while killing more than 200,000 civilians. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 The United States had nuked and napalmed Japan yet afterward promoted the Japanese economy assiduously. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 Tucker Carlson torches House Republican over Gaza ‘nuke’ comment | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss Tucker Carlson ripping Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) over his suggestion that Gaza should be nuked. The Hill, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuke
Verb
  • Protective sand dunes could be inundated and destroyed, which could lead to severe flooding inland, National Park Service officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned Monday.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Even an old grain silo near the former Nickel Plate train station raised a few hackles when it was demolished.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 14 Aug. 2025
  • When a building gets demolished, what happens to all that concrete, glass, stone or metal?
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But a sewer backup during this weekend's historic flood ruined 60 of the backpacks, Maya Bell reports.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Officials gathered Monday at a shopping center in Seymour that was devastated on Aug. 18, 2024 by massive flooding and mud that damaged multiple stores in the plaza and knocked them out of business for months and more.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Some movies aim to entertain, while others devastate.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
  • What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The chief said the suspect wrecked the vehicle before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Houses and sections of a port have been wrecked or swept out to sea.
    Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • The woman then allegedly hit the driver’s car with a tire iron, smashed her windows, and threw a brick at her car.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • While today’s burger price at Town Topic is $4.95, not much else has changed, according to Waite, who said the beef patties are still smashed thin and fried to achieve crispy edges, just like Sparks and Billings did.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuke. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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