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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1
as in to thwart
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2
as in to destroy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sabotage
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
However, engaging in vigorous workouts late in the evening may disrupt your sleep and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Growing up in the Cities, you are exposed to certain pitfalls that every youth has, opportunities for self-sabotage; reading Basil Johnston’s books and digging into my art with that reflecting in mind helped keep me out of trouble and steer me towards being an artist.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
In fact, kitchen design experts say that certain everyday choices, like cluttered countertops or tired finishes, can quietly sabotage your kitchen’s style, chipping away at its comfort and appeal.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
However, engaging in vigorous workouts late in the evening may disrupt your sleep and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
The more sabotage missions completed undetected, the greater the prize — but if a celebrity saboteur is caught, the contestant faces a difficult decision.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Growing up in the Cities, you are exposed to certain pitfalls that every youth has, opportunities for self-sabotage; reading Basil Johnston’s books and digging into my art with that reflecting in mind helped keep me out of trouble and steer me towards being an artist.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
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The viral photos and videos of the destruction have elicited strong emotions for many Americans.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
As time passes, pressure increases, communication falters, and every decision carries the weight of potential destruction.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Governor Kathy Hochul, whose own term has been defined by attempts to override local municipalities that thwart housing development and density, also supports the plan.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2025
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Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Japanese battleship Musashi, one of the largest ever built, was destroyed.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Russian air defense systems destroyed one drone heading for Moscow, the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday, according to Reuters.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The coaches also decided King’s wrecking-ball approach was effective.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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The addresses listed in the wrecking permits border the east of the truck plant where Ford makes its iconic Super Duty trucks, Expedition SUVs and luxury Lincoln Navigators.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the end of last season, Ancelotti was getting frustrated with how some of his stars were losing focus and not applying their talents to the benefit of collective success.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Since the four-day week started, Corbin said, she’s been frustrated that some of her children’s teachers have stopped sending homework, and that others have directed students to take the lead during parent-teacher conferences.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Chiefs have seen some of league’s premier running backs — such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs — and have met each challenge, preventing those elite players from ruining the defensive game plan.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Linking hubs such as Oakland, Richmond, Oyster Point, and Redwood City with high-speed foiling ferries would put hundreds of thousands more workers within a 45-minute commute of San Francisco’s job centers, expanding housing supply and cutting emissions from car commutes across the Bay.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
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Jones ran for 23 yards on two carries, but a Jauan Jennings facemask penalty wiped out a 13-yard scamper by Jones to foil the opening drive.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 1816 the stratosphere was saturated with Tambora’s dust, and sea ice nearly wrecked Scoresby’s ship off the eastern coast of Greenland.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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That history came to an end after wrecking crews tore down the wing’s two stories of offices and reception rooms last week.—
Darlene Superville,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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