PULVERIZE Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

pulverize

verb

ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz

Definition of pulverize

as in to destroy

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of buildings pulverized by a killer tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grind

to reduce to fine particles pulverize the cement into dust for reuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pulverize Portions of its skeleton featured pulverizing bite marks and missing chunks that all bore the hallmark signs of another predatory attack. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026 This would lead to massive deceleration forces that instantly pulverize standard tracking electronics, leaving search teams completely blind. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 When the missile came, the explosion pulverized the building so completely that many victims could not immediately be identified. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Medical offices are encouraged to shred, burn, pulp or pulverize physical documents, according to the website. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulverize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pulverize

Verb

In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 drones into Russia inside cargo trucks to conduct strikes that damaged or destroyed roughly one-third of Russia’s active bomber fleet and caused approximately $7 billion in damages.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Some 36,000 houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, including school gymnasiums and community centers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

The stock spent the fall of 2025 grinding higher along the rising 50-day, then broke into a completely different gear in the spring.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Finance ministers and central bank officials of G20 countries convene in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday as the US-Iran war grinds into its sixth month, raising inflation expectations and keeping energy prices elevated.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of grind

Verb

After flooding the courtyard, crushing vehicles and destroying part of one of the surrounding buildings, the liquid flowed into the buildings’ lower floors, where workers were holding morning meetings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Concerns about the software industry’s obsolescence fueled a massive sell-off earlier this year as investors bet AI agents would crush the sector’s business models.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crush

Verb

As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Both Russia and China have tested missiles that destroy satellites; a Russian test in 2021 shattered an inactive satellite into more than a thousand pieces.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

On offense, that means pounding the rock with a stout run game and letting that set up the passing attack.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Russia pounded Kyiv for more than 12 hours in a sixth straight night of attacks, killing at least 12 people including six railway workers and an Indian citizen, and devastating civilian districts.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pound

Verb

The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Gen, forgetting her swollen wrist, perks up at the thought of having a new person to ruin sheets with.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

She had been beaten and stabbed inside her home, and her body was then placed in the trunk of her car.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Browse Nearby Words

pulsing

pulverize

pulverized

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“Pulverize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulverize. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pulverize

verb

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