destroying

present participle of destroy
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 destroying Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025 But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025 According to the Monroe County arrest roster, Lamb has been charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, evidence destroying and procuring another for prostitution. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Fixed an issue where destroying the alarm bell does not always make NPCs investigate it. Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Ukraine’s 225th separate assault regiment said the video shows its forces destroying two bridges in Belgorod, in the villages of Grafovka and Nadezhevka. Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025 However, Tehran’s two recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused negligible damage, while Israel responded by destroying Iranian air defense systems. Amir Vahdat, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 The quake struck around lunchtime on Friday, destroying buildings and bridges. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroying
Verb
  • This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress.
    The Hill Staff, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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