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
Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
In the days following the Texas floods, Veterans on Patrol, an anti-government extremist group formerly based in Arizona, took credit for sabotaging a weather radar system in Oklahoma.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
Declining a promotion can feel like career sabotage.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
Are invisible fears attempting to sabotage what needs to be said?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
In the days following the Texas floods, Veterans on Patrol, an anti-government extremist group formerly based in Arizona, took credit for sabotaging a weather radar system in Oklahoma.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
There are these incidents (the batteries mysteriously not making it to the music video set; Jamie falling off the ladder) that certainly feel like sabotage, but the film never fully shows its hand.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
Declining a promotion can feel like career sabotage.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
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Critical wildlife habitat may be put at risk for alteration or wholesale destruction.—
Ryan Gellert,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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But tenants have little legal footing to stand on in combating that destruction.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marable then came up with a fumble recovery to thwart a Red Oak drive as the Cougars trailed 20-18 at intermission.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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In Greenberg’s novel, Cherry and Hero are already secret lovers who conspire to thwart the menfolk’s machinations.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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The more time went on, the more Mourinho grew visibly frustrated with his role at United.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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What's Next The government faces steep socioeconomic and cultural headwinds that have frustrated other nations, and whether ending the two-child policy will make a significant difference on the trend remains uncertain.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the peloton foiled any early breaks, a 12-man group, which included most of the GC contenders, left the peloton behind close to the summit of El Vivero, 24 kilometers from the finish line.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
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Bad snap foiled any chance for Carter Davis to do anything.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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