Verbs of Helping and Hurting - Verbs for Destruction and Damage

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to destruction and damage such as "wreck", "ruin", and "spoil".

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Verbs of Helping and Hurting

to cause damage to something in a way that it no longer exists, works, etc.

Ex: Yesterday , the fire tragically destroyed the old library , consuming many valuable books .

to completely destroy or to knock down a building or another structure

Ex: The earthquake had the power to demolish poorly constructed houses .
to wreck [verb]

to damage or destroy something severely

Ex: Vandals attempted to wreck the playground equipment in the park .

to severely damage or destroy something

Ex: The explosion threatened to mangle anything within its blast radius .
to ruin [verb]

to cause severe damage or harm to something, usually in a way that is beyond repair

Ex: Reckless actions can easily ruin relationships .
to spoil [verb]

to harm, damage, or ruin something

Ex: The spilled coffee spoiled the important documents beyond repair .

to completely destroy something

Ex: The military airstrike was intended to obliterate the enemy 's strategic positions .

to end or destroy something entirely

Ex: The company implemented a new strategy to extinguish inefficiencies and improve overall productivity .

(of a construction) to fall down suddenly, particularly due to being damaged or weak

Ex: The roof collapsed during the storm due to the heavy snow accumulation .
to raze [verb]

to completely destroy a building, city, etc.

Ex: The military decided to raze the abandoned structures to avoid them being used by insurgents .

to destroy completely

Ex: The invaders sought to exterminate the native culture and impose their own .

to completely destroy or remove something

Ex: The city implemented strict policies to extirpate illegal dumping and maintain cleanliness .
to zap [verb]

to attack or destroy, especially with a sudden force or energy

Ex:

to destroy a structure such as building or wall

Ex: The construction workers are knocking down the wall to create an open-plan living space .

to demolish a structure or building, typically by pulling it apart or taking it down piece by piece

Ex: Over the next month , the workers will pull down the unsafe structures in the area .

to burn something completely until it turns into ashes

Ex: The forest fire had the potential to incinerate large areas of vegetation .

to destroy someone or something completely

Ex: The superhero 's laser beams could seemingly annihilate any obstacle in his path .

to make something catch fire and burn

Ex: The matchstick was struck to combust the pile of dry leaves .

to physically harm something

Ex: Using the wrong cleaning solution may damage the delicate fabric .
to wear [verb]

to cause damage due to repeated friction or usage

Ex: Her frequent typing had worn the letters on the keyboard .

to make something change in terms of color, shape, etc. due to the effect or influence of the sun, wind, or rain

Ex: Over time , the coastal winds weathered the cliffs , creating dramatic , rugged formations .

to cause something to become weak or less effective

Ex: Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function and decision-making .

to step heavily or crush underfoot with force

Ex: The wild elephants avoided trampling the small plants as they moved through the dense forest .

to cause severe destruction or damage

Ex: The wildfire continued to ravage the forest , consuming everything in its path .
to crush [verb]

to become damaged, broken, or deformed under pressure

Ex: The car 's roof began to crush upon impact in the collision .
to trash [verb]

to damage or destroy something, usually deliberately

Ex: Teens trashed the park playground , leaving it in a state of disarray .
to crash [verb]

to break with a sudden and loud impact, often causing damage

Ex: The meteorite crashed through the roof , startling everyone in the room .

to come into sudden and forceful contact with another object or person

Ex: