1
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
The statement added that the aircraft are designed to destroy ground and air targets, and infrastructure facilities covered by air defense systems.
—
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Ezz’s house had been destroyed on the second day of the war.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
In Parkinson’s patients, these neurons are slowly destroyed as the disease progresses, which eventually affects their mobility and causes the disease’s tell-tale tremors.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Ezz’s house had been destroyed on the second day of the war.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
In Parkinson’s patients, these neurons are slowly destroyed as the disease progresses, which eventually affects their mobility and causes the disease’s tell-tale tremors.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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People stay at home and shop online, ravaging the streetscape of storefronts.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
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Earlier this year, Osment was among the thousands of Angelenos who lost their homes in the devastating wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California in January.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Renee Moore worked near the building and relied on its daycare for her 6-month-old son Antonio Cooper Jr., who was among those killed.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Of the four victims who were killed, two were teachers and two were students.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Purdy put his reporter’s hat back on and dug up that the 38 S. Fifth St. house — which would have sat in the plaza just south of the city council chambers — was demolished after an arson fire damaged it beyond repair.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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In Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, residents said the Israeli military demolished more homes in the city, which has all come under Israeli control in the past days in what Israeli leaders said was an expansion of security zones in Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Use logic and math to determine who slays the most orcs and rank them from greatest to least.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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To finally slay that demon and experience it with Elliot.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Musk are truly onions made of glass: shiny orbs of one insubstantial layer over another, with nothing in the center, liable to be shattered under the slightest pressure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And amid the challenges, there’s a growing push for transparency in the beauty industry, especially as entrepreneurs are speaking out more about the realities of running a business, shattering the illusion of effortless success.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Three days prior, Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s superhero and antihero and transcendent phenom all in one, wrecked into the wall on Turn 4 on the last lap of the Daytona 500.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
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The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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