Destroy
Destroy verb - To bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of.
Usage example: their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course
Spoil is a synonym for destroy in help topic. In some cases you can use "Spoil" instead a verb "Destroy", when it comes to topics like action, ruin, wreck, corrupt.
Spoil
Spoil verb - To reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of.
Usage example: know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait
Destroy is a synonym for spoil in ruin topic. You can use "Destroy" instead a verb "Spoil", if it concerns topics such as help, corrupt, botch.
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- In the process, the interviewees spoil events from the second half of season 1, such as Janet's friend Carol getting superpowers and Ultron attempting to destroy humanity.
- Destroy The Godmodder: Started showing up partway through the second game, in the form of the spoil of war Lil' Cal and the splash potion of crippling.
Source: Damage-Increasing Debuff -
Sauron was selfish — he wanted to rule the world, while Morgoth was insane — he simply wanted to destroy, spoil, maim and waste everything around him out of pure spite.
Source: Lawful Evil
Cite this Source
Spoil and Destroy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/destroy/spoil
Destroy & Spoil. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/destroy/spoil>.
Spoil or Destroy. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/destroy/spoil.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "destroy" and "spoil" have occurred on timeline