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.

Dad and Camille have already destroyed things in Aunt Melissa’s house.

From Literature

If the Mountain could destroy the courage of one such as Strong Jonn, who feared nothing, what could it do to Rowan of the Bukshah, who feared everything?

From Literature

“Though it’s really fun and satisfying and fulfilling,” Kim says, “my body gets destroyed.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“The thing is, Pili wanted to destroy the page to make sure no one could use it to complete the map.”

From Literature

In four months, the Air Force took out more targets than it had in four years—and destroyed the Dragon’s Jaw with a single strike in 1972.

From The Wall Street Journal

destroy

Example Sentences

Related Words