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Definitions

destroy

[dih-stroi] / dɪˈstrɔɪ /
VERB
demolish, devastate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consume crush damage dismantle end eradicate gut impair kill maim ravage raze ruin sabotage shatter smash smash-up wipe out wreck
STRONG
abort annihilate annul axe butcher cream deface desolate despoil dispatch erase exterminate extinguish extirpate level liquidate mar maraud mutilate nuke nullify overturn quash quell ravish slay suppress torpedo total trash vaporize waste wax zap
WEAK
blot out break down lay waste snuff out spoliate stamp out swallow up tear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist bear begin build construct create fix give birth help lose mend repair start
STRONG
improve keep preserve retain save validate
WEAK
restore

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

INDIANAPOLIS—Modern college basketball is built to do one thing: destroy dynasties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Scientists already knew that quasars can destroy this gas within their own galaxies, effectively shutting down local star formation.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

You can’t destroy an industry of incredible value if the product doesn’t do something incredibly valuable.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

It’s a grim reminder of L.A’.s insatiable appetite to destroy its own heritage and especially devastating to a certain milieu of writers and artists, myself very much included.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

It had the power to destroy them in a way that time no longer could.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.