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
Amid their fighting, the pair knock over a large fuel tank, and Kreese later takes his cigar and throws it into the fuel, setting off an explosion that destroys the boat and presumably kills them both.
—
Arabella Hau, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Saturday’s operation came after days of gang attacks that have destroyed more than three dozen schools just this year, and forced another mass exodus of people from neighborhoods in the capital.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Many other belongings from his tomb are believed to have been relocated due to the flooding that destroyed it.
—Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2025
Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Arabella Hau, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Saturday’s operation came after days of gang attacks that have destroyed more than three dozen schools just this year, and forced another mass exodus of people from neighborhoods in the capital.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Many other belongings from his tomb are believed to have been relocated due to the flooding that destroyed it.
—Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2025
Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
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.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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Alli Jo adds that the kids left school to appear on the date with Grant and the ladies, so Zoe ruined their day, too.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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How Helene devastated western North Carolina and left communities in ruins The storm ravaged the terrain alongside I-40, eroding 3 million cubic yards of earth and rock from the mountainside, leaving behind a scarred landscape and a daunting reconstruction challenge.—
Artemis Moshtaghian,
CNN,
1 Mar. 2025
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Philadelphia Eagles: The Super Bowl champions will likely be ravaged by free agency, losing a number of their key players such as defensive lineman Josh Sweat, linebacker Zack Baun and defensive lineman Milton Williams, who will likely cash in on last season’s success.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Using archival newspaper reports and interviews with a local historian, here’s a blow-by-blow recreation of the Ashley Gang’s demise — from Sept. 12, 1924, the day of the Bank of Pompano robbery, to Nov. 1, 1924, the day police killed the gangsters.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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When his family was away on trips, the thrift store owner would lure men to his home and kill them.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Some residential buildings have been demolished; a hole is punched into the side of a mosque; chunks of broken concrete now bare the inside of someone’s home to the outside world.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Without an effective treatment, the disease could devastate her harvest, leaving her unable to repay her loans or provide for her family.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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On Hollywood's biggest night, Colman Domingo led a tequila toast to the resilience of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that devastated the city.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Nearly half of them were slain using poison gas, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, at death camps like Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
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The right-wing host identified the staffer as Jamie White, who according to Jones, was slain outside his Austin, Texas apartment late Sunday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.—
David Hochman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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