as in destroying
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 vaporizing
Alternatively, the formation of this arc of iron plasma could be the result of the Ring Nebula's doomed star vaporizing an orbiting rocky planet as its outer layers puffed out.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
For instance, many studies work by vaporizing samples and analyzing the fumes, but that method cannot reliably tell plastic from fatty tissue, leading to widespread false positives.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 14 Jan. 2026
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
By contrast, two-phase cooling involves vaporizing coolant to absorb heat, providing higher thermal efficiency.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
So they can be built on top of each other and connected with metal wiring, without researchers having to worry about vaporizing the metal.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 July 2017
Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
For instance, many studies work by vaporizing samples and analyzing the fumes, but that method cannot reliably tell plastic from fatty tissue, leading to widespread false positives.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 14 Jan. 2026
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
By contrast, two-phase cooling involves vaporizing coolant to absorb heat, providing higher thermal efficiency.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
So they can be built on top of each other and connected with metal wiring, without researchers having to worry about vaporizing the metal.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vaporizing
Verb
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The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has long mocked Bush for ruining his presidency by invading Iraq, and his administration over the past week has sought to downplay any parallels between Bush’s misadventures and its own attack on Iran.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
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The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The arena, which would host sports, concerts and other events, is is expected to cost around $242 million to build, though the entire renovation, which includes demolishing the 58-year-old Millet Hall and installing parking near Cook Field, could cost up to $281 million.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Other possibilities involve demolishing the structure for street-level transit or repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, a driver was rescued after calling 911 when her Chevy sedan stalled in high water, wrecking just off the road in Morgan Township, according to dispatchers.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
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Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
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Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Costco recommends wrapping it in a towel and smashing it into pieces with a hammer.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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Vulture hosted a special screening of the pilot with ABC on March 3, and Speedman answered all of our questions about smashing props and doing his own stunts.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vaporizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vaporizing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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