nuke

verb

Definition of nukenext
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of a pretty sizable piece of real estate would be nuked if an asteroid struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nuke The Anyone but You star portrays quarterback Russ Holliday, who disguises himself as a fictional person and walks onto a struggling football team in the South after bad behavior nukes his college career. — Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2024 Pyongyang now routinely, almost casually, threatens to nuke South Korea and the United States. — Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024 Sunday was a striking microcosm of their season; an effort nuked by quarterback turnovers in the first half and special teams errors in the second, that proved unsalvageable despite strong defense throughout. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 Jan. 2024 South Koreans, who would bear the brunt of U.S. retaliation, were skittish about a military option even when Kim was threatening to nuke them over the deployment of the missile defense system known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD. — Daniel R. Russel, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2018 See All Example Sentences for nuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuke
  1. destroy
  2. demolish
  3. ruin
  4. devastate
  5. shatter
  6. wreck
  7. smash
Verb
  • Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
    — Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.
    — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.
    — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • 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
  • Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of wreck
Verb
  • To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Two people who were in the office area were hit as the vehicle smashed through the building, came out the other side and struck another vehicle, police said.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of smash

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“Nuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuke. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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