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
1
as in to thwart
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in to destroy
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Bjorn Lomborg, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
By putting all of those experiments on AI deception and sabotage into the wild, Moltbook provides a wake-up call as to just how unpredictable and hard to control AI agents already are.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
However, engaging in vigorous workouts late in the evening may disrupt your sleep and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Noun
It was hailed as bold leadership, but the reality has been economic sabotage.
—Bjorn Lomborg, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
By putting all of those experiments on AI deception and sabotage into the wild, Moltbook provides a wake-up call as to just how unpredictable and hard to control AI agents already are.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Just don’t allow politicians to misdiagnose the problem and sabotage the upward mobility that is still delivering real gains despite government barriers.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
However, engaging in vigorous workouts late in the evening may disrupt your sleep and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabotage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabotage
Noun
-
Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Though once vital to the economy of the American territory, Puerto Rico’s sugar plantations evolved to represent the destruction and exploitation of colonialism that continues to impact the region today—a detail not lost on those cast as grass.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the 27th minute, diving to his left to thwart Juninho Vieira.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ statement came ahead of William’s three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, which kicked off on Monday—likely in an attempt to thwart any questions about the issue while the future king is abroad.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
More than 12,000 scrolls were once stored inside this second-century center of learning before a fire destroyed them in 262 CE.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
In one case, the life of an upper-class woman and contemporary of Julius Caesar, Clodia, saw her reputation destroyed by false claims of harlotry, home-wrecking, and husband-killing.—
Time,
Time,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But now concerns have grown and even some of the airline’s most loyal customers are frustrated after the carrier rolled out a new boarding process to pair with the policy change.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The two upperclassmen used contrasting styles to frustrate TCU defensively.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Applying baking soda to some surfaces or materials could ruin it, scratch it or lose its shine, according to the pros.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some 12 1/2 minutes in, Philips got her glove up to foil Rahel Enzler, who was set up on the doorstep.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Some 12 1/2 minutes in, Philips got her glove up to foil Rahel Enzler, who was set up on the doorstep.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lanni was sitting nearby at Sei Less when LaForte wrecked the witness’ table.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The barber chair, the locus of Sweeney’s revenge on the heartless cruelty of a Victorian London that wrecked his life, isn’t the elaborate contraption of other productions.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabotage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabotage. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
