as in destruction
the act of destroying or damaging something deliberately so that it does not work correctly
Angry workers were responsible for the sabotage of the machines. Officials have not yet ruled out sabotage as a possible cause of the crash.
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1
as in to thwart
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2
as in to destroy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sabotage
Jorge Carrasco, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Those who’ve been targeted and their allies view the practice as both a pressure tactic in which reputational sabotage is weaponized, as well as a subversion of the legal process itself.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Even seasoned home cooks can fall into these habits that can sabotage any meal.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
Elier Muir said authorities arrested his son a few days after the protest and charged him with sabotage.
—Jorge Carrasco, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Those who’ve been targeted and their allies view the practice as both a pressure tactic in which reputational sabotage is weaponized, as well as a subversion of the legal process itself.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
In The Second Lady, when America’s beloved First Lady is abducted and replaced by a Russian double, both women must fight to survive—one navigating captivity in Siberia, the other infiltrating the White House to sabotage NATO during the G7 Summit.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Even seasoned home cooks can fall into these habits that can sabotage any meal.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
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Its offspring included Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx, who goes on to produce Ker (destruction), Thanatos (death), and Oizys (pain), among many others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Comments under the brand's post showing a photo of the destruction show support for the cupcake bakery.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Brendan Fraser is on hand as well, playing a jerky LAPD detective who keeps stepping on Diamond’s toes, thwarting the private eye’s shrewd attempts to crack the case.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
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But, for now, that effort, too, has been thwarted.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, some concertgoers said they were frustrated by restrictive views in the floor section, citing the production's tall ramp structures.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
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Pratt, who gained fame as Montag’s bad boyfriend on the 2000s-era hit The Hills, had been frustrated of late by his inability to get back on the air with his family.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Since 2015, it has been held in ten different cities, including Las Vegas, where a red carpet was constructed atop the Bellagio’s fountain pool, and Nashville, where rowdy attendees ruined bachelorette parties on Broadway.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Many riads were in a state of disrepair, crammed with striking examples of traditional craftsmanship going to ruin.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Then, on May 11, authorities announced that a suicide bombing plot on the capital, Islamabad, had been foiled.—
Amira Jadoon,
The Conversation,
13 May 2026
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But Ripley’s plan was foiled when a good Samaritan rescued Alejandro from the water, prosecutors say.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The line was a wrecking crew that also managed to outscore the opposition.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Bubba, by the way, was actually wrecked later in the race by John Hunter Nemechek.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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