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.

Here’s the part people don’t expect to hear: It didn’t destroy us.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

Structural weakness in democratic institutions is usually sufficient to destroy democracies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

There are many narratives going around, and the one I find most interesting or conflicting is from the tech bears who say that AI is so powerful, it’s going to destroy all of software.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“We’ll see if you’re still laughing when I totally destroy you in the finals and take home the prize.”

From "Trouble at the Arcade (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #1)" by Franklin W. Dixon

destroy

Example Sentences

Related Words