destroyed; destroying; destroys
1
: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of
destroyed the files
also
: to ruin as if by tearing to shreds
their reputation was destroyed
a disease that destroys the body's ability to fight off illness
… destroyed any hope of a return to past crackdowns … —
George Brock
George Brock 2
a
: to put out of existence : kill
destroy an injured horse
b
: neutralize
the moon destroys the light of the stars
c
: annihilate, vanquish
… marines have been trained to close with and destroy the enemy. That's what we do.—Stephen W. Larose
Stephen W. Larose
: to cause ruin or destruction
It is proverbially easier to destroy than to construct …—T. S. Eliot
T. S. EliotExamples of destroy in a Sentence
Eventually our problems with money destroyed our marriage.
All the files were deliberately destroyed.
The disease destroys the body's ability to fight off illness.
The bomb blast destroyed the village.
The dog had to be destroyed since its owner could not prevent it from attacking people.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from a group of Native American activists and supporters to block a copper mining company from destroying an Apache religious site.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2025
During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Élites who do not adequately submit are often destroyed—but leaders who fail to protect the élite are also prone to be overthrown.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
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Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2025
During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Élites who do not adequately submit are often destroyed—but leaders who fail to protect the élite are also prone to be overthrown.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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