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.

Scientists have created a thin plastic film that can physically destroy viruses the moment they land on its surface.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

Arborists say the trenches could destroy the roots of some of the last remaining trees and kill them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

When an aide asked Trump why he wrote “Praise be to Allah” in a social-media post that threatened to destroy Iran, the Journal reports:

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Therapy may destroy most cells, but those with protective mutations can quickly take over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

But Larisa had managed to avoid the antiaircraft searchlights, and the German pilot's aim in the dark wasn’t accurate enough to destroy their plane.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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