1
as in demolishes
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
2
as in ravages
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 kills
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 destroys
Jake and Vince have an unbreakable bond that destroys everyone and everything, but as Law points out, their issues are rooted in their early family life.
—
Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This final betrayal will be his undoing, as the enraged creature, doomed to live without connection, care, or love, finally snaps and destroys everything Victor holds dear.
—Thomas Page McBee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
The result is a Type Ia supernova that usually completely destroys the greedy white dwarf star.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In some cases, Diaz said, the immune system attacks and destroys the limbal stem cells that are essential for keeping the cornea clear.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Producing traditional paper destroys trees and is resource-intensive, requiring up to 13 liters of water for every page made.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
In those situations, the team typically takes the potentially explosive item to a remote area and destroys it, just to be safe, Putthoff said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Also, in most instances, TEM usually destroys organic samples under the beam.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
The television series and video game franchise are set in 2296, several centuries after nuclear war destroys civilization.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This final betrayal will be his undoing, as the enraged creature, doomed to live without connection, care, or love, finally snaps and destroys everything Victor holds dear.
—Thomas Page McBee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
The result is a Type Ia supernova that usually completely destroys the greedy white dwarf star.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In some cases, Diaz said, the immune system attacks and destroys the limbal stem cells that are essential for keeping the cornea clear.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Producing traditional paper destroys trees and is resource-intensive, requiring up to 13 liters of water for every page made.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
In those situations, the team typically takes the potentially explosive item to a remote area and destroys it, just to be safe, Putthoff said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Also, in most instances, TEM usually destroys organic samples under the beam.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
The television series and video game franchise are set in 2296, several centuries after nuclear war destroys civilization.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroys
Verb
-
As extreme heat ravages New York City this summer, the lives of thousands detained on Rikers Island hang in the balance.—
Darren Mack,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Gay attraction, for David (and this, too, echoes across Baldwin’s work), can only ever be masc4masc; effeminacy always kills desire.—
Garth Greenwell,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The assault keeps him out of the combine and more or less kills his momentum.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deadly flooding devastates South Asia Almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods brought destruction throughout the country’s north.—
Semafor Staff,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That means, the two are booked and busy serving gothic style slays all day — with one exception.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When shoe stink ruins a perfectly good rack.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Sep. 2025
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No matter how beautiful your kitchen is, grime on your appliances immediately ruins its look.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
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The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.—
Thasha Batts,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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