as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a lightning strike vaporized the tree
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Recent Examples of vaporize
But if the geological plumbing is clogged, perhaps by silica minerals or rock debris, the pressure can build until the water explodes, vaporizing into steam and shooting boiling water, mud, rocks, and other debris into the air.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
There is no moral universe in which vaporizing human beings in the middle of the ocean is an act of justice.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Then, the detective hired to vaporize the homicidal mountain lion discovers the animal is getting a bum rap — the businessman had been murdered before the mauling began.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Many of the space station's modules and hardware are expected to burn up, melt away or vaporize upon re-entry.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vaporize
Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
There is no moral universe in which vaporizing human beings in the middle of the ocean is an act of justice.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Then, the detective hired to vaporize the homicidal mountain lion discovers the animal is getting a bum rap — the businessman had been murdered before the mauling began.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Many of the space station's modules and hardware are expected to burn up, melt away or vaporize upon re-entry.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vaporize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vaporize
Verb
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But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There is a child whose happy world is shattered when his friends from Oz cannot make the leap into what people around him consider to be reality.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
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John Raoux / Associated Press The Jacksonville Jaguars lost a close wild-card playoff game at home Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, shattering their Super Bowl dreams.—
Denny Alfonso,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even though she was utterly devastated, a small part of her saw it as a kind of gift.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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When the oily messenger arrives at the hotel, Lucy is confused and devastated.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Givaudan initiated the process to receive a wrecking permit in August and has been working over the past few months to get the proper approval from various agencies, including Louisville MSD and the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Jan. 2026
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The internet has the ability to create assassins and sway elections and destroy families, to waste our time and wreck our life.—
Gideon Leek,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and repeatedly slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented, smashing its headlights and knocking off its front bumper.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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In witness footage shared by the police, the paraglider is seen falling from the sky with a faulty parachute and spiraling quickly towards the waters below, before smashing into the ocean in front of horrified beachgoers.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vaporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vaporize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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