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
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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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3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
Elsewhere, Kyiv estimates that 3 million hectares of Ukrainian forest have been destroyed and nearly a third of the country seeded with mines.
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David Vetter, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
As this Appalachian town grapples with the loss of its hospital, which was destroyed by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene, a KFF Health News analysis has identified about 20 across the state built on or near flood plains.
—Lauren Sausser and Holly K. Hacker, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
The blaze destroyed a portion of the cargo and caused significant damage to the aircraft's fuselage.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Spreading rapidly due to strong winds, the South Fork Fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroy 
David Vetter, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
As this Appalachian town grapples with the loss of its hospital, which was destroyed by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene, a KFF Health News analysis has identified about 20 across the state built on or near flood plains.
—Lauren Sausser and Holly K. Hacker, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
The blaze destroyed a portion of the cargo and caused significant damage to the aircraft's fuselage.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Spreading rapidly due to strong winds, the South Fork Fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.Don Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
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Well, Neptune and his Wildcats might just be ruining the convenient narrative.CJ Moore, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As victims of the devastating series of wildfires that ravaged multiple parts of Los Angeles navigate its aftermath, Hollywood stars are showing up for their community.Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
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The Eaton Fire has ravaged over 14,000 acres in Altadena, California, with 27% containment.T. Michelle Murphy, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The medical examiner's office says five of those deaths were in the Palisades Fire, while 11 people were killed in the Eaton Fire.Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Those winds have fanned wildfires into destructive infernos across Los Angeles, killing at least 11 and displacing tens of thousands this week.Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The plan is a major change for Jackson Memorial Hospital, which would demolish two office buildings across from a Metrorail station in 2027 to make way for affordable and workforce housing in two towers filled with shops, a hotel and more than 800 apartments.Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
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At least one of the buildings was soon to be demolished altogether, its red-brick walls dumped into its 1921 foundation.Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Extremes getting more extreme 2024 also saw a number of life-threatening disasters, from Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of North Carolina and Florida, to powerful heat waves across the U.S.Lauren Sommer, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement Malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases devastated a workforce already struggling with especially dangerous terrain and harsh working conditions in the jungle, eventually costing more than 20,000 lives by some estimates.Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The projections came as a surprise after the Fed delivered a definitive half-point rate cut in September and messaging that suggested the post-pandemic inflation had been all but slayed.Tobias Burns, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
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Indianapolis crime 2024:Brothers slain six days apart among this year's unsolved killings Homicides, shootings and more: How violent was Indianapolis this year?Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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With Houston shattering records at San Diego High School and Wiggins starring at La Jolla Country Day, the two made America’s Finest City the nation’s premier destination for women’s college basketball recruiters in 2004.Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
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The cameras came back to the duo, who revealed Kotb’s glass had shattered during the commercial break, and she was covered in wine.Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For so long, the Steelers needed Watt to put on his cape and wreck a game to steal a win against a top-tier opponent.Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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Glasses, eyewear repair kits and gold cleaning equipment were wrecked.Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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