sabotage 1 of 2

Definition of sabotagenext
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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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
In her 20 years of practice, Saunders-Waldron says she’s seen this misconception sabotage relationships. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026 Teng on Tuesday also discussed her goal of creating a lasting record with American Doctor and fears of sabotage. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Industry experts say entitlement, risky decisions and cultural missteps are causing more travelers to sabotage their own trips. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026 Unfortunately, these beliefs can sabotage our goals. Nir Eyal, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
  • The Sacramento County Parks Department says there's been a big increase in vandalism and destruction of the nature preserve due to unauthorized use of off-road bicycles and e-bikes.
    James Taylor, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on.
    Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Both problems also thwarted Artemis I, whose capsule returned with excessive heat shield damage.
    Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Its volatility already thwarted launch attempts in February.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Toxins build up and start to destroy the kidneys and liver.
    Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Renowned for its beauty and ability to attract butterflies, butterfly bush (Buddleia) can spread quickly and outcompete and destroy native plants.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • 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
  • Chris Kuhns, who worked as an investigator in the BOI for 20 years and wrote the shelved report into Ramirez’s death, was frustrated by the unit’s inability to accomplish what it was required to do by law.
    Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While experts say the funds are beginning to make a difference, the sluggish pace of spending in some communities, from the wine country of Grand Traverse County to mid-Michigan's Eaton County, has frustrated some state leaders.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Talley went long with an 8-iron into a back bunker on the 12th, the hole that ruined Jordan Spieth's chances of a repeat Masters victory in 2016.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The multiple mistresses ruined his image; the countless injuries derailed his golf game.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The three remaining liberal Justices need only two conservatives to join their side in order to foil the Administration’s plan.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Minnesota got the game’s first power play and the second unit did everything but score, with Vladimir Tarasenko hitting the post with a long-range shot, and Marcus Johansson’s swipe at the rebound foiled by a sprawling arm save.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • One such attack on March 27 wrecked an AWACS at Prince Sultan Air Base in eastern Saudi Arabia.
    Sig Christenson, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The war goes on, and Iran has shown its ability to hit American targets in the region, as well as to wreck the global economy.
    Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sabotage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster