DESTROY Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

destroy

verb

di-ˈstrȯi

as in to ruin

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course

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as in to ravage

to bring destruction to (something) through violent action wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state

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as in to kill

to deprive of life regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of destroy Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes — even though they have likely been damaged or destroyed. —

Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025 The Palisades Fire, which ignited on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County's Pacific Palisades, was 84% contained as of Sunday after burning more than 23,000 acres, destroying nearly 7,000 structures and killing 11 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). —

Daniel Amarante, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025 Before his death in 2008, Newman had interviewed many of his peers on tape, only to later destroy the tapes. —

Emily Weaver, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025 Some 12,000 structures — buildings and cars — have been destroyed so far, and with them many tons of property of all levels of sentimental meaning. —

Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for destroy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy

Verb

Sign up » Nonfiction In the past fifteen years, an avalanche of literature has been published about how technology has ruined our attention spans.

— The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

— Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025