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
William M. Leogrande, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
As the race unfolds in real time, there are collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy and more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Don't overcrowd the pan Crowding the pan is one of the easiest ways to sabotage your roasted Brussels sprouts.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
The latest episode is also reminiscent of the early 1960s, when Cuban exiles, trained and armed by the CIA, tried to infiltrate Cuba to conduct acts of sabotage and assassinate the leaders of the Cuban Revolution.
—William M. Leogrande, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
As the race unfolds in real time, there are collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy and more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
This absorbing book documents attempts by activists who are part of the Antifa movement to expose and sabotage far-right-wing groups.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Don't overcrowd the pan Crowding the pan is one of the easiest ways to sabotage your roasted Brussels sprouts.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
-
Oil prices could soar above $100 over the coming days or weeks if the Iran war continues, analysts said, potentially rising even higher if any destruction of oil infrastructure or transit routes appears long-lasting.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Designed for maximum destruction, heavy-hitter Khorramshahr carries a massive 1,500 kg (3,300-pound) warhead with a 2,000 km (1,240 miles) range.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Right was thwarted by the pandemic).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
He was thwarted by Sam two years ago, and Atterton has been desperate for revenge ever since, and has spent his time behind bars planning Sam’s downfall.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The port has already planted acres of mangroves and sea grass and donated the land to the state of Florida to offset the habitat that would be destroyed during dredging.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The reasons for this cautious response are many, ranging from the precarious diplomatic implications of the conflict, disruptions to its energy security, and the embarrassing implications of allowing an ally to be destroyed.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
-
Californians are increasingly aware of this imbalance and frustrated about it.—
Jerry McNerney,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
There’s resistance to filmmakers coming in and telling the story of bears dying from climate change, and this trope that Inuit are frustrated by, and rightfully so.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
People suffer and the country becomes ruined.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Anti-Chafe Stick With sweaty bodies and lots of walking often comes chafing, something that can ruin a day in a theme park faster than a thunderstorm.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But that plan was foiled this season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Born in Finland, raised in Boston, then wrecked in Ohio, the poor woman couldn’t exist as matter anymore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
So last week … In Atlanta, Carson Hocevar wrecked Bell.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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