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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system specializes in destroying short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase using hit-to-kill kinetic interceptors.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 June 2026
The unrest began in mid-March but has intensified, leaving at least three dead as vigilantes armed with spears, clubs, and whips assaulted migrants and destroyed their homes.
—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
28 June 2026
Andrea Peña is a 34-year-old resident of La Guaira, whose home was destroyed.
—
Fernando Narro Roman,
NPR,
28 June 2026
The ministry released photos of an eight-story building, its top floor destroyed and windows blown out.
—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 June 2026
The unrest began in mid-March but has intensified, leaving at least three dead as vigilantes armed with spears, clubs, and whips assaulted migrants and destroyed their homes.
—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
28 June 2026
Andrea Peña is a 34-year-old resident of La Guaira, whose home was destroyed.
—
Fernando Narro Roman,
NPR,
28 June 2026
The ministry released photos of an eight-story building, its top floor destroyed and windows blown out.
—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
-
After all, plenty of cocktail enthusiasts already complain about mosquitoes ruining a summer evening.
Verb
-
Shana McDiarmid and her now-boyfriend, Cameron, are another couple who benefitted from the foundation after their rental property was ravaged thanks to its proximity to the river.
-
Were civic centers nothing more than Trojan horses designed to ravage humanities departments across the nation?
Verb
-
The mother of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Manhattan is demanding justice for her son.
-
The one-two punch wreaked massive destruction throughout the region, killing at least 235 and wounding more than 4,300.
Verb
-
The East Wing of the White House was demolished suddenly in October 2025, and construction at the site, which will be the location of a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom, has continued through mid-2026.
-
Just months later, in October, the East Wing had been demolished without notice to make way for the new ballroom.
Verb
-
The project has sparked outrage because of the location’s pristine nature and unique habitat that would be irreversibly devastated, according to environmentalists.
-
BangkokReuters — The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose body was found in a suitcase in Pattaya said they were devastated by her death, for which an Australian man has been arrested and charged with murder.
Verb
-
Earle is there to be supportive, and to slay a dragon in her best copyright-dodging Red Sonja fit.
-
Jace is then slain by enemy arrows.
Verb
-
Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
-
Republican Rick Jackson shattered spending records in Georgia by spending $108 million of his own money into his campaign for governor.
Verb
-
My polishing pads are always getting wrecked, used, or stolen by my dog (or all of those things).
-
As many little heartbeats as possible, just running around, wrecking stuff in the house.
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
