destruct

[ dih-struhkt ]

adjective

1. serving or designed to destroy:

   a destruct mechanism on a missile.

noun

1. the act or process of intentional destruction:

   One out of ten launchings ended in destructs.

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy.

verb (used without object)

1. to be destroyed.

destruct

/ dɪˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to destroy (one's own missile or rocket) for safety
2. intr (of a missile or rocket) to be destroyed, for safety, by those controlling it; self-destruct

noun

1. the act of destructing

adjective

1. designed to be capable of destroying itself or the object, system, or installation containing it

   destruct mechanism

Word History and Origins

Origin of destruct¹

First recorded in 1630–40; back formation from destruction

Example Sentences

Ren, the earliest known leader, built a self-destruct mechanism into his weapon, and Kylo Ren modified his weapon with a cross-guard to vent the unstable blade’s excess energy.

From TechCrunch

When an anonymous buyer secured the winning bid for British artist Banksy’s Girl With Balloon in 2018, the painting promptly self-destructed.

From Quartz

Once it runs out of sperm, it will expel its remaining unfertilized eggs and self-destruct since it can’t reproduce anymore.

From Popular-Science

That’s the substance the genetic engineers use as an off switch for the self-destruct mechanism in female larvae.

From Science News

Because of its “self-destruct” reputation, the app is a popular tool among youngsters for transmitting sexually explicit material.

From The Daily Beast

At this point, why not sit back and wait for this crazy experiment to self-destruct?

From The Daily Beast

While we self-destruct, we continue our arrogant dance with greed.

From The Daily Beast

Once Gingrich was leading the polls, the pundits began betting whether he would self-destruct.

From The Daily Beast

Newt could self-destruct before that, but waiting for such a meltdown is not a strategy.

From The Daily Beast

He was actually risking his life—or so he believed—to prove that the child could not destruct a human being.

From Project Gutenberg

Aspexi, et ecce Carmelus desertus: et omnes urbes ejus destruct sunt a facie Domini, et a facie ir furoris ejus.

From Project Gutenberg

You could have pushed the Destruct button and I'd never have known.

From Project Gutenberg