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.

There’s a 15% chance AI will destroy us, but we’ll still sign the agreement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

A more accurate metaphor would be credit termites — insects that infest and destroy structural timbers.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

And he ordered RIH to give him all the documents demanded by the government’s subpoena by Tuesday, implying that the hospital might destroy these records if he did not obtain them immediately.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

The U.S. uses $4 million Patriot interceptors to destroy drones that cost $20,000 to $50,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

They wanted to destroy everything to satisfy their stupid pride.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing destroy

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"Frankenstein"

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Workshop 2, Part 1

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