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.

Courts have ruled that the doctrine requires private utilities such as Edison to pay for property they destroy, even if they haven’t been found to have acted negligently.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

AI will reorganize the white-collar corporate workforce, not destroy it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Clean-energy stocks are performing well, but they can still destroy capital if investors buy the wrong company at the wrong price.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

He added that the proposed development "would be a new city with around 10,000 rooms" and said it would "completely destroy that wild region".

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

No one explains that a crush isn’t fun but is actually named for its ability to destroy.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Vocabulary lists containing destroy

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Workshop 2, Part 1

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