1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 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
Verb
  • As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, the disaster will no doubt take center stage at the event.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
  • And Donald Trump's Exchange On Tarmac By Anna Commander Deputy News Editor 59 President Donald Trump was greeted by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday as Trump prepares to tour areas of the state recently ravaged by wildfires.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Teen shooter kills student, then himself at Nashville high school In: South Carolina Lucia Suarez Sang Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at CBSNews.com.
    Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Tens of thousands succumbed to disease, starvation and mining-related accidents, while others were killed as part of a larger genocide.
    Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • No one was injured but city officials decided the situation could not continue and have made plans to demolish the structures and clear the site.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
  • New Orleans demolished its most recent highest snow total, which was 2.7 inches in 1963.
    Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Overnight, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Malibu, where homes and businesses were destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes to devastate Los Angeles County this month.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In the same month that multiple fires devastated Los Angeles County, the Border 2 Fire sparked and set over 6,000 acres ablaze in San Diego County, prompting more evacuation orders, according to officials.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Putin cannot slay inflation because Russian interest rates are already at a whopping 21%, and the Russian ruble is collapsing.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
  • With Mikko camped out to his right midway through the second stanza, Makar beat DeSmith glove-side with a wrister from the blue line for his 100th career goal, slaying the Avs’ power-play dragon and becoming the fastest active defenseman in the NHL to hit the century mark as a pro.
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For the most social of butterflies, this fall’s Italy, France, and Ibiza cruise is set to shatter records for the largest gay cruise to set sail across Europe, uniting more than 4,000 passengers on the massive Odyssey of the Seas.
    Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Some areas in the Panhandle recorded over half a foot of snow, shattering long-standing snow records, CBS Miami reported.
    Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Related Articles Asking Eric: The newcomer wrecked our group’s vibe.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Palace would have to weigh up the risk of wrecking that relationship.
    Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near destroy

Cite this Entry

“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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