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
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2
as in ravaging
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 killing
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Recent Examples of destroying
The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.
—
Neil Winton, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
At this point, most of the surveys are showing roughly seventy per cent of Israelis would prefer a hostage deal to whatever the alternative is, like destroying Hamas by any means.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
Records say Hollis sought help after Richard, having abused drugs and not slept for four days, went into a rage, tearing the house apart and destroying furniture.
—Carol Marbin, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
While disaster movies are more dramatic, the idea of space junk destroying Paris, New York or Los Angeles is low.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
Blockbuster disaster movies always have something destroying major cities.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
In October 2023, a Chinese ship dragged its anchor hundreds of miles, destroying undersea cables and an undersea gas line connecting Finland and Estonia.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
The September storm ravaged Asheville with severe flooding, damaging two of the brewery's facilities, including its main production arm, and destroying stock and equipment.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
Neil Winton, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
At this point, most of the surveys are showing roughly seventy per cent of Israelis would prefer a hostage deal to whatever the alternative is, like destroying Hamas by any means.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
Records say Hollis sought help after Richard, having abused drugs and not slept for four days, went into a rage, tearing the house apart and destroying furniture.
—Carol Marbin, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
While disaster movies are more dramatic, the idea of space junk destroying Paris, New York or Los Angeles is low.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
Blockbuster disaster movies always have something destroying major cities.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
In October 2023, a Chinese ship dragged its anchor hundreds of miles, destroying undersea cables and an undersea gas line connecting Finland and Estonia.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
The September storm ravaged Asheville with severe flooding, damaging two of the brewery's facilities, including its main production arm, and destroying stock and equipment.
—Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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