Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The minister rejected the idea as a "lazy compromise", leading CDU lawmaker Norbert Roettgen to fume that Pistorius had "torpedoed an important bill".
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2025
But Lewis also suggested that investor concerns about the freight market had torpedoed efforts to find a buyer for Convoy and keep the company intact.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 19, 2023
Mr Lynch said the RDG had "torpedoed" the talks aimed at ending the long-running dispute because agreement would have prohibited further industrial action.
From BBC ● May 12, 2023
Some time after the big star vehicles stopped coming her way, Heche claimed in interviews that her much-publicized relationship with Ellen DeGeneres had torpedoed her chances as a viable leading lady.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2022
Where was the Russian submarine that had torpedoed the ship?
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
