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.

Weather feeds us, it can destroy us — it rules our existence, he says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

"We are constantly grappling with the challenges posed by the sheer scale of these territories... and the organizations' capacity to rapidly rebuild what we destroy."

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The heat is not meant to burn or destroy tissue.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

"I think he knows what he's doing on some level. I think that he sees and realises that if he ever owns up to what he did, it'll destroy him."

From BBC • May 27, 2026

“That little twerp! I should go wipe that snot off his face right now. How could he do that to you? His only older sister! He’s trying to destroy you!”

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

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