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
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2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of destroy
Overwintering grounds on the California coast and Mexico have been destroyed.
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Nathan Rott, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
This can often be treated with cryotherapy (extreme cold air treatment), a topical chemotherapeutic agent (a drug that works to slow down or stop cancer cell growth), or photodynamic therapy (a light treatment used to destroy abnormal cells).
—Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
Approximately 40 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was first reported at 11:43 a.m., destroyed one building, damaged at least three others, and downed utility wires along 17th Street.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The fire destroyed an apartment building near Ammons Street and West 12th Avenue, killing two cats and displacing four people, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroy 
Nathan Rott, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
This can often be treated with cryotherapy (extreme cold air treatment), a topical chemotherapeutic agent (a drug that works to slow down or stop cancer cell growth), or photodynamic therapy (a light treatment used to destroy abnormal cells).
—Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024
Approximately 40 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was first reported at 11:43 a.m., destroyed one building, damaged at least three others, and downed utility wires along 17th Street.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The fire destroyed an apartment building near Ammons Street and West 12th Avenue, killing two cats and displacing four people, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroy
Verb
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Lobby group Family Business UK said tens of thousands of family-run businesses and farms will be ruined by this change due to lower levels of inheritance tax relief.Marc Shoffman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
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The ground floors of thousands of homes have been ruined.Hernán Muñoz and Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Nearly 250 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by ravaging flames and smoke.Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
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The system was crucial for Kyiv's government and military communications, after Russian attacks ravaged the country's infrastructure.Axios, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Finally, as is obvious to most observers, Israel cannot kill its way out of the threat posed by Hamas and other armed Palestinian factions.John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
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At least 100 people were killed, and about 20 more were still missing as of mid-October.Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The Lions demolished the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, putting up at least 50 points on their opponent for the second time this season.Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
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Instead, Israel has conducted a campaign of broad devastation in Gaza, attacking the territory’s civilian population; demolishing its health, educational, and social infrastructure; and destroying its food production, shelter, and sources of potable water.John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The Durbin-Marshall legislation attempts to force down credit card processing fees paid by retailers via government mandates that would devastate the credit card rewards programs many consumers utilize.John Berlau, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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The continuation of the war, meanwhile, is devastating Ukraine.Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Listen to this article Merrillville man acquitted in Gary drug deal slaying Michael Baker was acquitted Friday in the Jan. 21, 2023 murder of Demetri Russell, 29.Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2024
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The sleepy spot actually holds a chilling history dating back to 1912, when two adults, Josiah and Sarah Moore, and six children were brutally slain in what is now known as the Villisca Ax Murder House.Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
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As the menace escalates, her parents dismiss her fears, and Annie is soon plunged into a terrifying nightmare that shatters her world.Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
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The resulting encounter, in which his vulnerability and her deceits are laid bare, provides a quietly shattering climax.Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Expectations were too high because of the staggered rollout of AI, along with China which wrecked everyone.Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
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Ice Cube is checking himself so as not to wreck himself.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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