WordGarden.iodestroy
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪstrˈɔɪ/
US
- /dɪˈstrɔɪ/
Meanings
Verb
to damage something so badly that it no longer exists, works, or can be used
to ruin an abstract thing such as a plan, reputation, hope, or value
to defeat a person or team very decisively
More meaningsFewer meanings
to delete, dispose of, or make a software object or digital resource unusable
to put an animal to death, especially officially or for welfare reasons
Beyond the definition
To destroy something isn't just to break it; it's to ruin it so badly that little or nothing is left. Think of a castle crumbling after a siege, or a forest consumed by wildfire—that's destruction in action. It can be physical, like demolishing an old building to make way for a new one. But it isn't limited to physical things. You can destroy someone's reputation with lies, or destroy their hope with harsh words. A villain often tries to destroy the hero, but heroes usually manage to prevent total destruction!
To destroy means to completely ruin something—whether physically, emotionally, or conceptually—so that it no longer exists in its original state and cannot be repaired or recovered. It implies a thorough and often forceful dismantling. For example, the sentence "The earthquake destroyed the city" suggests widespread devastation and irreparable damage.
"Destroy" isn't always about physical force. You can destroy evidence to cover up a crime, destroy someone's confidence with criticism, or even destroy a perfectly good argument with flawed logic. It speaks to taking something whole and breaking it down into pieces.
The word carries weight and often implies a sense of finality. While "damage" suggests something can be fixed, "destroy" suggests it is beyond repair. Think about the phrase "self-destructive behavior"—it doesn't mean someone is simply making bad choices; it means they are actively dismantling their own well-being.
Historically, the word comes from the Old French destruire, meaning 'to pull down'. This origin hints at the forceful and complete nature of destruction. So, whether you're talking about a natural disaster, an act of malice, or a personal downfall, to destroy is to bring something to ruin—leaving behind only remnants of what once was.
Examples
- 1
Fire damage
The fire destroyed three houses on the street.
- 2
Documents
Please destroy these documents after you read them.
- 3
Computer files
The virus can destroy all the files on your computer.
- 4
Economy
Years of fighting have destroyed the country's economy.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Confidence
One cruel joke can destroy a child's confidence.
- 6
Career damage
If this story gets out, it could destroy his career.
- 7
Public trust
The scandal destroyed the public's trust in the company.
- 8
Sports defeat
Their team destroyed us in the second half.
- Patterndestroy someone
beat them very easily
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- destroy evidence
- destroy a building
- destroy someone's confidence
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- destroyverb
Forms
- destroyedpast tenseverb
- destroying-ing formverb
- destroysverb