DESTROYS Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

destroys

verb

present tense third-person singular of destroy

as in demolishes

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course

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as in ravages

to bring destruction to (something) through violent action wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kills

to deprive of life regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of destroys T cells, a type of immune cell that detects and destroys infected or abnormal cells, normally perform this inspection. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026 The law applies when someone knowingly destroys, damages or takes another action against property to prevent the government from lawfully taking custody of it. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Bert shields Stuart from Wil’s deadly fireball, which leads to a magic fight to the death between the two that destroys most of the comic book shop and ends with Wil’s demise. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 Those whose cattle survived are facing other challenges as the fire destroys fences and grassland. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026 The disease progressively destroys photoreceptors in the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for recognizing images and resolving fine details. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026 The finale’s real tragedy is that Max, in his own warped pursuit of justice, destroys everyone around him before being forced to see his entire crusade differently. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Rescue comes from a Ukrainian fighter jet, known as Ghost, that destroys the tanks from above. — Constant Méheut, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroys

Verb

An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.

— Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Definition of demolishes

Verb

Airstrike in Gaza kills a 4-year-old Four-year-old Mohammed Taha died after an Israeli airstrike hit a house in central Gaza on Sunday, hospital authorities said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Giving a mother who kills preferential treatment harkens to the patronizing assumption that women lack agency.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of kills

Verb

As climate chaos causes oceans to swallow coastlands, and as surging water displaces and devastates communities, social survival will demand that people find ways to live and work with – and on – the water.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
The urban planner and former professor also knows what happens next after a powerful earthquake devastates whole communities.

— Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastates

Verb

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Beyoncé slays in all-white at the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, while Justin and Hailey Bieber show off their streetwear style in New York City.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Kerry Washington completely dismissing Seth Meyers’s home life absolutely slays.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 June 2026

Definition of slays

Verb

Nothing ruins a relationship faster than finding out your girlfriend, who’s actually the entire world, stole your frozen eggs.

— Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
When porch days turn into nights, nothing ruins the vibe of an evening gathering or solo wind-down faster than a blinding flashlight or hunting for an outlet.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruins

Verb

That is less than half as many as the set that produced many of his signature smashes and turned him into a chart-topper.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
For now, Paramount isn’t producing the billion-dollar box office smashes that drive millions of butts into theater seats (not to mention robust sales of novelty popcorn buckets).

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of smashes

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destroying

destroys

destructible

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“Destroys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroys. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of destroys

verb

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