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.

Kintor Pharmaceutical, a Chinese biotech, is developing a gel designed to destroy the protein that triggers hair loss at the follicle.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

If wars destroy wealth or scarce oil drives up production costs, the world’s economies will become poorer.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Their effectiveness depends on a tightly controlled contact point called the "immune synapse," where they release toxic molecules that destroy the target while leaving surrounding healthy cells unharmed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

"No need to destroy the entire infrastructure - not the roads, the water pipes, the electricity," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

“I’ll destroy the evidence as soon as I’m done. I’ll eat the paper if I have to. But we have to get organized!”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Vocabulary lists containing destroy

Beowulf vocabulary

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"Frankenstein"

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Workshop 2, Part 1

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