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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.

“I want to believe what he meant is we will destroy the regime. I don’t think we can accept any destruction, total or partial, of Iranian civilization.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

It was just a place for them to be wild and play and make art where I didn’t have to destroy my house every day.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

"Do I want to destroy their infrastructure? No," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

How can doctors destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue?

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Tamara and Raya each flew at this group from a different side, and Tamara managed to destroy another bomber.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein