sabotage 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sabotagenext
as in destruction
the act of destroying or damaging something deliberately so that it does not work correctly Angry workers were responsible for the sabotage of the machines. Officials have not yet ruled out sabotage as a possible cause of the crash.

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sabotage

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to thwart

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2
as in to destroy

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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 sabotage
Noun
Malicious actors can employ UUVs for a range of activities, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, smuggling, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and kinetic strikes, according to details. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026 In other instances, Ukrainian agents on Telegram allegedly posed as Russian government officers to pressure certain Telegram users into committing acts of sabotage. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026
Verb
Research has shown that not getting enough quality sleep may sabotage muscle recovery, compromise cognitive performance, impair reaction time and raise the risk of injury. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Intrusive thoughts threaten to sabotage a relationship as Mars and Uranus align! — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
  1. destruction
  2. thwart
  3. destroy
  4. wrecking
  5. frustrate
  6. ruin
  7. foil
  8. wreck
Noun
  • The term was coined in 1981 based on the cases of four elderly women in Wisconsin who, like the man, had severe destruction of their shoulder joints and massive tears to their rotator cuffs.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • Its mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, posted a video to X showing widespread destruction in part of the city.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Verb
  • Gilligan’s Island, American television sitcom about a group of castaways on a desert island and the chaos that ensues as their attempts at rescue are constantly thwarted.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Recyclers have been thwarted by PVC’s chemical architecture, specifically its heavy chlorine content and dense cocktail of additives, which make melting and mechanical reprocessing almost impossible.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • Spider-Man teams up with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher to take down the green giant and stop the him from destroying the Damage Control skyscraper entirely.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • An official for Green Diamond Resources similarly said her company has no intention of destroying the bird’s habitat.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.
    — The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of wrecking
Verb
  • Iran was also frustrated that financial promises under the deal – including the release of billions of frozen assets – didn't materialize, and now the American blockade is back in place.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike traditional resort fees that can surprise or frustrate travelers, these purchases are optional and connected to a guest’s needs.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • Meals are taken family style, and the refinement of the cooking will ruin ordinary Indian restaurant fare for you.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With baseball ruined, the Dodgers will look to avoid their second consecutive series loss via the sweep on Wednesday, sending superstar starter Eric Lauer to the mound against Shota Imanaga.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Though the plot was foiled, investigators say Haji Zada pledged loyalty to ISIS and indoctrinated her family with ISIS ideology.
    — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • In fact, some fans took it upon themselves to foil those wishing to watch online.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 26 July 2026
Definition of foil
Verb
  • Elsewhere, La’An continues her investigation via Harper’s personal video log, an effort that takes a disturbing turn when Harper addresses her directly while Kirk sees that their shuttle has been wrecked.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Etna’s country prevails but is demolished in the process; its people and animals are left wrecked, hungry, and homeless.
    — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of wreck

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Cite this Entry

“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sabotage

Nglish: Translation of sabotage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sabotage

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