pulverize

verb

ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz How to pronounce pulverize (audio)
Definition of pulverizenext
1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of buildings pulverized by a killer tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles pulverize the cement into dust for reuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pulverize This would lead to massive deceleration forces that instantly pulverize standard tracking electronics, leaving search teams completely blind. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 When the missile came, the explosion pulverized the building so completely that many victims could not immediately be identified. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Medical offices are encouraged to shred, burn, pulp or pulverize physical documents, according to the website. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026 But the biggest beef to be had is in Sarnoski’s insistence to bludgeon us with pulverizing violence, which grows tiresome and repetitive in the carnage-spewing initial 30 minutes. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulverize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulverize
  1. destroy
  2. grind
  3. demolish
  4. crush
  5. shatter
  6. pound
  7. ruin
  8. beat
Verb
  • Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The flood then destroyed roads and knocked out power and phone networks, leaving families unable to establish even the most basic facts.
    — Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The intricacies of the interpersonal dynamics and conversational turns in the scene ground the dispute in emotion, and two characters who were once at odds find common ground.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Kruz and Josie catch the guy’s eye on the dance floor and invite him to join their impromptu grinding session, which is also when Joe catches the pair touching in a way that suggests relationship-level familiarity.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • Later demolished, the home sat directly across the street from a far more modern residence by a designer with ties to the Tao restaurant chain and the Venetian Las Vegas.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That then will allow the existing Willowcreek Middle School to be demolished.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • On Thursday, however, good fortune found Ramos in the third inning, as the left fielder crushed an RBI double off the corner of Camden Yards’ right field wall.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Cindy said the icing process is time consuming, especially since the egg shells need to be crushed and dehydrated.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of crush
Verb
  • In addition, the original estimate that the Falcon 9 reusable boosters were only good for 10 flights has been shattered by the latest mission using a booster that had flown 37 times.
    — David Szondy August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In 1985, the director Kevin Sullivan produced, with primary funding from the Canadian Broadcasting Company and support from PBS, a record-shattering Anne miniseries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Sarajevans still remember his commands to the Serb gunmen pounding the Bosnian capital in early 1992.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Deadly landslides struck Southern and Central California, wiping out hillside homes, and powerful waves pounded the state’s shoreline.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • But if clouds ruin your view — or the moon is below the horizon at the time of the eclipse — there's no need to fret!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The news of the relationship almost ruined the church, which quickly began hemorrhaging members.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.
    — Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • A day earlier, the Buccaneers had beaten the Panthers in their final game of the regular season, only to witness Carolina claim the NFC South anyway.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of beat

Browse Nearby Words

pulsing
pulverize
pulverized
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Cite this Entry

“Pulverize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulverize. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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