sabotage 1 of 2

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

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
With English Subtitles William Defoe excels as the manager of a luxury hotel who decides to sabotage the plans of the Argentine developer who has acquired it. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 Isaac was willing to kill Gomez to save Françoise and even dug Gomez’s grave in anticipation of his death, but Morticia swooped in to sabotage these plans. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 But even so, this is a date movie to be used in relationship sabotage maneuvers. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
  • Critical wildlife habitat may be put at risk for alteration or wholesale destruction.
    Ryan Gellert, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But tenants have little legal footing to stand on in combating that destruction.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.
    Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The Kansas City Royals arrived in Philadelphia looking to thwart the red-hot Phillies and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The wrecking begins when Carey (Marvin), Paul’s best friend, ill-advisedly sleeps with Julie—and then, more ill-advisedly still, confesses it to Paul the next day.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ciccone was frustrated to find research was largely focused on boys.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One researcher claimed authorities could have foiled the attack by unearthing connections between hijackers through public information in databases.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Some of those who attempt to seize or usurp power unconstitutionally are killed during their takeover bid, particularly when security forces loyal to the incumbent leader foil the attack.
    Joe Wright, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The sophomore, who is the youngest player ever voted captain under coach Jay Norvell, was a one-man wrecking crew against the Huskies with a game-high 13 tackles.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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