1
as in demolishes
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 ravages
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 kills
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 destroys
Accordingly, the treatments misprescribed can be ineffective at best and harmful at worst, all while the parasite further destroys the cornea.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
The bill also establishes a Class A misdemeanor if someone, without authorization of the patients, alters, forges, conceals or destroys a request for medication or rescission of a request for medication to affect a health care decision.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Demonstrating fast two-qubit gates in silicon was critical because the quicker these operations are performed, the less time qubits are exposed to noise that destroys fragile quantum information.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
The crooks of The Killing have pretty much anticipated everything — but the sheer unpredictability of human nature still destroys them.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The degenerative and incurable disease, which also is known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, depletes and destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually causing paralysis.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Not to be confused with sodium hypochlorite in household bleach, hypochlorous acid is a weak acid that can be safely used on the skin and that destroys an array of harmful microbes by attacking cell walls.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 23 Dec. 2025
Gun violence researchers say parents like Crystal Anlage carry trauma that destroys their sense of security.
—Fred Clasen-Kelly, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
One such affliction is Tay-Sachs, a disease that disproportionately affects people of Ashkenazi descent and destroys brain and spinal nerve cells.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroys
Verb
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Verb
-
This horror ravages Africa far beyond Nigeria.—
-
However, as a geostorm ravages Earth, Athena and Hen’s space mission teeters on the edge.—
Verb
-
Luckily, Jack and Priya come just in time to save Anna, and Priya shoots and kills Lexy/Catherine.—
-
The investigations are required by AB 1506, which mandates a state investigation of any shooting by a law enforcement officer that kills a person who was not carrying a deadly weapon.—
Verb
-
Americans are used to thinking about automation as something that devastates factory towns in the heartland.—
-
The novel is about three teenagers experiencing the joy and angst of their senior year in a New York City high school as the AIDS crisis devastates their community.—
Verb
-
Chriselle Lim demonstrates that a precise center part, along with a straight style, is the perfect formula for a sharp bob that slays.—
-
But maybe audiences will at least reach for their remotes and go to streaming for the killer doll that slays in more ways than one.—
Verb
-
Continue reading … RISE UP – Catholic conference shatters attendance records as 26,000 young people flock to faith event.—
-
The drop shatters a plate from Andrew's mother's irreplaceable collection of heirloom china and prompts Andrew to fire Enzo.—
Verb
-
Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.—
-
In fact, some of the greatest novels are about how reading ruins lives—starting with the book often considered the first modern novel, Don Quixote.—
Verb
-
Ben smashes chests and heads in, tears jaws out, rips faces off, and director Johannes Roberts makes sure to include brief close-ups of the carnage, lit just dimly enough to avoid truly grossing us out.—
-
When Ben smashes a television set, perhaps Roberts is even making some sort of societal point.—
Cite this Entry
“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share