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.

He first mentioned it on a radio show that aired Dec. 26, saying the U.S. had destroyed “a big plant or facility where ships come from.”

From The Wall Street Journal

With a range exceeding 1,500 miles, exo-atmospheric interception capabilities and kinetic “hit-to-kill” technology, Arrow 3 destroys long-range ballistic missiles far from populated areas.

From The Wall Street Journal

To get it going again it needs substantial investment, partly to rebuild the destroyed Kakhovka hydro-electric dam that was used to provide cooling water for the plant.

From BBC

The blaze has completely destroyed the house, causing the roof and stairs of the stone cottage to collapse.

From BBC

The region’s long-running housing shortage was made even worse by a pair of fires last year that destroyed neighborhoods on opposite sides of Los Angeles County.

From The Wall Street Journal

destroy

Example Sentences

Related Words