as in ruined
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in demolished
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ravaged
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 killed
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 destroyed
J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
According to official estimates, drone strikes conducted by Lasar’s Group have destroyed more than $13 billion in Russian military equipment, a kill rate that got Yelizarov promoted in 2023 to the rank of colonel.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
The Department of Buildings said the second floor of the structure had collapsed, and the roof was completely destroyed.
—Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the opening ceremony Friday, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed and over 800 sports facilities have been destroyed in the fighting.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Evans became a suspect in the press, and his reputation was further destroyed.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk took over Twitter to save free speech from being destroyed by the left.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Bart Young, whose home was destroyed in the fire, told council members his insurance company will cover only half the cost of rebuilding.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
The storm that destroyed the home of Shaun and Karen Powers hit three months after the phone call that put an end to Coppermark’s strategy of flooding the insurance department with complaints.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
According to official estimates, drone strikes conducted by Lasar’s Group have destroyed more than $13 billion in Russian military equipment, a kill rate that got Yelizarov promoted in 2023 to the rank of colonel.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
The Department of Buildings said the second floor of the structure had collapsed, and the roof was completely destroyed.
—Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the opening ceremony Friday, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed and over 800 sports facilities have been destroyed in the fighting.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Evans became a suspect in the press, and his reputation was further destroyed.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk took over Twitter to save free speech from being destroyed by the left.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Bart Young, whose home was destroyed in the fire, told council members his insurance company will cover only half the cost of rebuilding.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyed
Adjective
-
His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Damaged beyond repair, the building was permanently closed and later demolished.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
After the closure of Toni’s Italian Restaurant’s Olathe location last year, city planning documents show the restaurant’s former building will soon be demolished alongside a handful of other buildings, as the city gears up for an ambitious overhaul of East Santa Fe Street.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated February 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Niners were ravaged by injuries this past season, losing the services of some of pro football’s best players.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For over a millennium, measles have ravaged humanity.—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pike was killed by head and neck trauma and was from Stamford, Connecticut, Teton County Coroner Brent Blue told the outlet.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After Renee Good was shot and killed by a Customs and Border Protection agent in Minneapolis, Peak said more than 1,200 protested in the northwest Valley with just two days' notice.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The 14-year-old and the 25-year-old climbed out of the wrecked car, saw a man recording on their phone, and assaulted him, taking away the phone.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The driver then got out of the wrecked vehicle and fled on foot, police said.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Richarlison had just scored, and all of the momentum was with Spurs, but Romero’s dismissal shattered their chances of finding an equaliser.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
That tranquility was shattered when deputies with the Sheriff's Department had journalists leave the area and blocked off streets with deputies and traffic cones.—
Sarah Lapidus,
AZCentral.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The synthetic opioid is far more potent than heroin and has devastated communities across the country.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Residents report the actual death toll exceeds 162, with villages devastated and survivors fleeing as government security forces faced criticism for delayed response.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time, the bond-building treatment creates a protective barrier around each strand, helping to restore damaged hair and improve its integrity over time.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sort out broken and damaged items and dispose of them or find a way to upcycle them at home.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destroyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyed. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
