1
as in ruining
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravaging
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 killing
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destroying
Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.
—
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
According to the Monroe County arrest roster, Lamb has been charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, evidence destroying and procuring another for prostitution.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Fixed an issue where destroying the alarm bell does not always make NPCs investigate it.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Ukraine’s 225th separate assault regiment said the video shows its forces destroying two bridges in Belgorod, in the villages of Grafovka and Nadezhevka.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
However, Tehran’s two recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused negligible damage, while Israel responded by destroying Iranian air defense systems.
—Amir Vahdat, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The quake struck around lunchtime on Friday, destroying buildings and bridges.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
According to the Monroe County arrest roster, Lamb has been charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, evidence destroying and procuring another for prostitution.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Fixed an issue where destroying the alarm bell does not always make NPCs investigate it.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Ukraine’s 225th separate assault regiment said the video shows its forces destroying two bridges in Belgorod, in the villages of Grafovka and Nadezhevka.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
However, Tehran’s two recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused negligible damage, while Israel responded by destroying Iranian air defense systems.
—Amir Vahdat, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The quake struck around lunchtime on Friday, destroying buildings and bridges.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share