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.

If wars destroy wealth or scarce oil drives up production costs, the world’s economies will become poorer.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

"Fires can destroy vast areas of the mountain, leaving visible scars and disrupting the delicate balance of nature," it said in a statement.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Scientists have created a thin plastic film that can physically destroy viruses the moment they land on its surface.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

Arborists say the trenches could destroy the roots of some of the last remaining trees and kill them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

This time, Tonya herself managed to destroy an enemy plane with the machine guns in her tail gunner’s turret in the back of their Pe-2.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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