Definitions

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.

MYC-driven cancers appear able to rapidly repair the DNA damage caused by treatment, allowing them to endure therapies that would normally destroy tumor cells.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

His mistake was to try to destroy a man whose greatest nemesis was himself, and that singular, burning focus of Mozart’s earned him immortality regardless of what his haters threw at him.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Owning at least many of them enables an investor to be diversified within this type of compelling idea, mitigating the risk that one of them could disappoint and destroy an investor’s portfolio.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The Iron Dome is an advanced Israeli air defence system used to intercept and destroy a range of aerial missiles, rockets and drones.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

I need to destroy the toxin without watching eyes.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Vocabulary lists containing destroy

Beowulf vocabulary

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"Frankenstein"

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Workshop 2, Part 1

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