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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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
The statement added that the aircraft are designed to destroy ground and air targets, and infrastructure facilities covered by air defense systems.
—
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Ezz’s house had been destroyed on the second day of the war.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
In Parkinson’s patients, these neurons are slowly destroyed as the disease progresses, which eventually affects their mobility and causes the disease’s tell-tale tremors.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Ezz’s house had been destroyed on the second day of the war.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
In Parkinson’s patients, these neurons are slowly destroyed as the disease progresses, which eventually affects their mobility and causes the disease’s tell-tale tremors.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 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.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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People stay at home and shop online, ravaging the streetscape of storefronts.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
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Earlier this year, Osment was among the thousands of Angelenos who lost their homes in the devastating wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California in January.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Renee Moore worked near the building and relied on its daycare for her 6-month-old son Antonio Cooper Jr., who was among those killed.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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One month later, their father, who was working as a captain for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was killed.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Purdy put his reporter’s hat back on and dug up that the 38 S. Fifth St. house — which would have sat in the plaza just south of the city council chambers — was demolished after an arson fire damaged it beyond repair.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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In Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, residents said the Israeli military demolished more homes in the city, which has all come under Israeli control in the past days in what Israeli leaders said was an expansion of security zones in Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Use logic and math to determine who slays the most orcs and rank them from greatest to least.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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To finally slay that demon and experience it with Elliot.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
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Tobias is shattered by the negative response, but Gabin’s aggression doesn’t do anything to pull Tobias together.—
Oliver Sava,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The cops also seized his cellphone and tore apart his home of two years, wrecking his recording setup in the process.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
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As many little heartbeats as possible, just running around, wrecking stuff in the house.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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