Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word.

Destroy

Preserve

The most appropriate antonym of the word destroy is preserve.

• Destroy means "to make something cease to exist; to ruin or demolish."
• Preserve means "to keep something safe from harm or destruction; to maintain or keep in its original state."

The other words do not have the same meaning as destroy, so they are not its antonyms.

• Obliterate means "to erase or remove completely."
• Abolish means "to put an end to; to do away with."
• Shine means "to emit light; to be bright or radiant."