destroy

[ dih-stroi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate.

   Synonyms: devastate, ravage, waste, level, smash

   Antonyms: create

2. to put an end to; extinguish.

   Synonyms: uproot, annihilate, extirpate

   Antonyms: create

3. to kill; slay.
4. to render ineffective or useless; nullify; neutralize; invalidate.
5. to defeat completely.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in destruction.

destroy

/ dɪˈstrɔɪ /

verb

1. to ruin; spoil; render useless
2. to tear down or demolish; break up; raze
3. to put an end to; do away with; extinguish
4. to kill or annihilate
5. to crush, subdue, or defeat
6. intr to be destructive or cause destruction

Derived Forms

• deˈstroyable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·stroya·ble adjective
• half-de·stroyed adjective
• prede·stroy verb (used with object)
• self-de·stroyed adjective
• self-de·stroying adjective
• unde·stroyed adjective
• well-de·stroyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of destroy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, from Vulgar Latin dēstrūgere (unattested), for Latin dēstruere ( dē- de- + struere “to pick up, build”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of destroy¹

C13: from Old French destruire, from Latin dēstruere to pull down, from de- + struere to pile up, build

Synonym Study

Destroy, demolish, raze imply reducing a thing to uselessness. To destroy is to reduce something to nothingness or to take away its powers and functions so that restoration is impossible: Fire destroys a building. Disease destroys tissues. To demolish is to destroy something organized or structured: to demolish a machine. To raze is to level down to the ground: to raze a fortress.

Example Sentences

When Morrison said the case had “destroyed the Woodward family,” Bernstein’s parents stood up abruptly and left the crowded courtroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Those involved, including the deputies, “tried to destroy me, physically, mentally, my reputation,” Zelocchi said, adding that he was forced to relocate to Europe as a result of the harassment.

From Los Angeles Times

This overexploitation of Brazil's green lung destroys the habitats of many species of flora and fauna and also accelerates climate change.

From Science Daily

"But if we can inhibit GPX4 production, we may be able to target and destroy cancer cells. This is particularly promising for treating neuroblastoma, which primarily affects children."

From Science Daily

T cells are a type of immune cell that seeks out and destroys cells infected by viruses, bacteria as well as tumour cells.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• consume
• crush
• damage
• dismantle
• end
• eradicate
• gut
• impair
• kill
• maim
• ravage
• raze
• ruin
• sabotage
• shatter
• smash
• smash-up
• wipe out
• wreck