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
ABC News, 31 May 2026
Western governments see a growing risk of Russian and Chinese sabotage of undersea cables and are also concerned that Iran may seek to exploit the many data networks running through the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Odette Yousef, NPR, 27 May 2026
But fans only chanted loudly for The Hurt Syndicate despite Tony Khan’s best efforts to sabotage them over the past year.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
Anthropic sued, claiming the Pentagon is illegally retaliating by stigmatizing the company with a designation meant to protect against sabotage of national security systems by foreign adversaries.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Western governments see a growing risk of Russian and Chinese sabotage of undersea cables and are also concerned that Iran may seek to exploit the many data networks running through the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Verb
Its adherents promote terrorism and sabotage to incite a race war and to bring about social collapse.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 27 May 2026
But fans only chanted loudly for The Hurt Syndicate despite Tony Khan’s best efforts to sabotage them over the past year.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
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He was indicted on three counts -- destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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Yes, the Cal State Fullerton softball team continued its destruction of the Big West Conference.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, once the former’s economic situation forces them to withdraw from hosting duties just four years before kickoff, the opportunist pulls out every unscrupulous trick in the book to thwart the rival bids from, ironically, Canada and USA.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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Local authorities in Pakistan said Tuesday that security forces killed eight attackers and thwarted an attempt to seize the checkpoint.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In July 1936, anarchists set fire to the church’s crypt and broke into the architect’s workshop before destroying many of his plans and plaster models.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The Russian president, who has never acknowledged that Ukraine is a legitimate country, or that Zelensky is its legitimate president, could continue to bomb Ukrainian cities, hoping to destroy the electrical grid and make the country unlivable.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
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Councilmember Nithya Raman on Wednesday cast the November mayoral runoff as a choice between change and the status quo, arguing that Los Angeles voters are frustrated with City Hall and ready for new leadership.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
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His futile dreams of Mexico were not a metaphor for a life frustrated by unresolved dreams.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Years earlier, in 2001, the undercover detective involved claimed her career had been ruined by the case, and received around $166,000 in an out-of-court settlement, per the BBC.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
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Think about it the next time a presidential rant ruins your coffee.—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The full-head foiling technique is a big step away from balayage and the more relaxed, live-in color trends that dominated the space since the pandemic.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
5 June 2026
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The rally would play out, Shnaider would make the first move and either make an error or be foiled by Chwalińska’s equally remarkable ability to turn defense into attack.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The kind of game-wrecking force that the Rams enjoyed playing behind during Aaron Donald’s tenure, and one the defense has missed since Donald’s retirement prior to the 2024 season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
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These two didn't get along great for a long period after Kyle wrecked Junior at Richmond.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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