sabotage 1 of 2

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sabotage

2 of 2

verb

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 sabotage
Noun
Image The European Union has been rolling out programs to shore up its own military sector, galvanized by Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine, as well as evidence that Moscow is conducting a hybrid war of sabotage and espionage on European streets. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Cannes got its own cliff-hanger ending on Saturday, the final day of the 78th film festival, when a power outage, apparently caused by deliberate sabotage, shut down the power grid serving the city and much of the surrounding region. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Verb
In this light, scientists are understandably skeptical that research policy coming from this administration could benefit science, rather than just sabotage it. Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025 Investigators later found that a wrench had jammed the plane’s control gears; rumors swirled that someone had sabotaged Coleman, but no further evidence of foul play ever emerged. Victor Luckerson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
  • Confrontational rhetoric Salami was known for his aggressive rhetoric against both Israel and the United States, calling for the destruction of Israel as early as 2016.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
  • The destruction of several strategic bombers is another reminder that Kyiv remains determined in its struggle against Moscow’s invasion.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The original show’s premise dealt with a demonic invasion being thwarted by plucky heroes in mystical samurai armor, which worked sort of like power armor.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • However, the package requires the backing of all EU members and could be thwarted by vetoes from Slovakia and Hungary, which are considered Moscow's closest allies in the EU.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • The first move for a mistrial from Combs’ legal team occurred at the end of May, after prosecutors asked Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator Lance Jimenez if fingerprint evidence related to the bombing of Kid Cudi's car had been destroyed.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Having borrowed the sand and surf motif from his surfer brother Dennis Wilson — the only surfer among the group — Brian later became inspired, and frustrated, by The Beatles’ evolving sound.
    Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 June 2025
  • As a result, Hough and other park superintendents were constantly frustrated by their inability to protect the park’s features from vandals and thieves.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • The front nine, which has ruined more than a handful of U.S. Open rounds over the last two days, proved to be much tougher.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The weather conditions were a vast improvement on Sunday, with sunshine and improved breezes making for consistent foiling around the course.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 9 June 2025
  • In testing, with all other antivirus components disabled, Bitdefender’s ransomware protection foiled 11 of 12 real-world ransomware attacks.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • DeChambeau became the first defending champion to miss the cut at the national championship since Gary Woodland in 2020 — his round wrecked by errant drives, knucklers out of the rough and putts that would not drop.
    Apress, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • When the blowback from this problem child’s dodgy associations threatens to wreck her life, the everymatriarch steps in.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The motion requests the judge to restrain all members of Trump’s administration from enforcing the order.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • In June 2024, the high court upheld a ban on firearm purchases and possession by Americans under domestic violence restraining orders.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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