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
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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
Experts have long assumed that the instrument had been destroyed or lost to history.
—
Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
The Big Beautiful Bill is supposed to revitalize our economy, but the president who asked for it is destroying that economy with his erratic, uninformed and ill-judged dictatorial outbursts.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
Over 90 drones were shot down and destroyed in a single day, according to the regional governor.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 13 July 2025
That destroys the American science institution for medicine, for space, for weather, for all kinds of science.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
The Big Beautiful Bill is supposed to revitalize our economy, but the president who asked for it is destroying that economy with his erratic, uninformed and ill-judged dictatorial outbursts.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
Over 90 drones were shot down and destroyed in a single day, according to the regional governor.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 13 July 2025
That destroys the American science institution for medicine, for space, for weather, for all kinds of science.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Now a wonderful memory of the occasion will be ruined in my memories.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
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The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Lowering the cost of eggs, which spiked in recent years as an avian flu outbreak ravaged American flocks, was one of President Donald Trump's key campaign promises in the lead-up to the 2024 election.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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Those include a string of deadly tornadoes that swept through Kentucky in May, and some of the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Verb
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In that incident, a rooftop gunman fired at Trump from roughly 150 yards away, grazing his right ear and killing one attendee, Corey Comperatore, before Secret Service agents shot the attacker dead.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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At least 15 people were killed including, two nuns.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
10 July 2025
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An existing, 38,000-square-foot building on the site will be demolished in that development.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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She’s devastated by how badly water and air pollution have affected businesses, tourism and overall quality of life.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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John Tufts The Grand Canyon North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, has been devastated by the Dragon Bravo wildfire.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
Verb
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However, its notoriety for slaying archeologists who came into contact with its long-dormant spores is still debated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 June 2025
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But he wasn’t charged in that case for 10 months, and an arrest warrant wasn’t sought for Garcia Aquino until three days before Omar was slain.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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