1
as in ruining
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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2
as in ravaging
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
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3
as in killing
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Recent Examples of destroying
Federal agencies are prohibited from destroying or negatively changing critical habitat.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The designation would also prohibit federal agencies from destroying or modifying that habitat.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
This includes destructive behavior such as chewing and destroying furniture as well as things like howling and barking.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The wildfire ignited Monday and has expanded at an alarming rate, burning more than 3,000 acres with 0% containment and destroying at least seven structures.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
At its peak, the wildfire that ignited Monday expanded at an alarming rate, consuming an area larger than five football fields per minute and destroying at least seven structures.
—Hanna Park, Robert Shackelford and Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
This expands their volume, destroying cells and making their texture soft.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Droughts, frost and heat across the continent are killing milkweed, the monarchs’ food source, and destroying their habitat.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Malibu under mandatory evacuation A fast-moving wildfire sprang up Monday night in Southern California, forcing evacuations and destroying homes in Malibu, the iconic and affluent beach community northwest of Los Angeles.
—Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The designation would also prohibit federal agencies from destroying or modifying that habitat.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
This includes destructive behavior such as chewing and destroying furniture as well as things like howling and barking.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The wildfire ignited Monday and has expanded at an alarming rate, burning more than 3,000 acres with 0% containment and destroying at least seven structures.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
At its peak, the wildfire that ignited Monday expanded at an alarming rate, consuming an area larger than five football fields per minute and destroying at least seven structures.
—Hanna Park, Robert Shackelford and Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
This expands their volume, destroying cells and making their texture soft.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Droughts, frost and heat across the continent are killing milkweed, the monarchs’ food source, and destroying their habitat.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Malibu under mandatory evacuation A fast-moving wildfire sprang up Monday night in Southern California, forcing evacuations and destroying homes in Malibu, the iconic and affluent beach community northwest of Los Angeles.
—Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Destroying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroying. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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