sabotage 1 of 2

noun

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.

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sabotage

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to thwart

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2
as in to destroy

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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 sabotage
Noun
The shadow fleet, aging tankers and cargo ships that break US sanctions and sabotage subsea cables with impunity, are increasingly disrupting global trade and data flows. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 In my opinion, Carl can self-sabotage by amplifying the scale, scope and landscape of what had been negotiated, accordingly placing himself and his counterparties at odds. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Verb
More often, though, the indirectness and the anonymity of digital exchanges have sabotaged understanding. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The power of weak ties and familiar strangers Not every connection needs to become a best friendship, and expecting that pressure can sabotage your social life entirely. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
  1. destruction
  2. thwart
  3. destroy
  4. wrecking
  5. frustrate
  6. ruin
  7. foil
  8. wreck
Noun
  • Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Verb
  • The group’s open letter calls on Bonta to take action to thwart the Ellison expansion effort.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Nicolas Pepe had a shot from roughly 10 yards out that was thwarted by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland with his leg.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
Definition of destroy
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
Definition of wrecking
Verb
  • Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • After all, plenty of cocktail enthusiasts already complain about mosquitoes ruining a summer evening.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Jones has thrown every wrench at the paper to try and foil the reboot of his digital streaming and supplement empire.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
  • The idea was for Carrol to become an eyewitness to the sheriff’s encounters with others in the office, to foil potential future allegations of improper conduct, Carrol testified.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of foil
Verb
  • The good news is that dermatologists and makeup artists have figured out how to keep your SPF topped up without wrecking your foundation, blush or setting spray.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • In the history of mankind, socialist success stories are as rare as triple plays in baseball, but plenty of countries have been wrecked by it — Venezuela and Cuba, to name just two.
    — Michael Zais, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
Definition of wreck

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on sabotage

Nglish: Translation of sabotage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sabotage

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