destroyer

noun

de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r 

dē-

1

: one that destroys

2

: a small fast warship used especially to support larger vessels and usually armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles

Examples of destroyer in a Sentence

The pamphlet describes alcohol as a destroyer of families.

Recent Examples on the Web

Older firms became net job destroyers. —Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Five years ago, Russia said one of its warships fired warning shots and a warplane dropped bombs in the Black Sea to force the British destroyer HMS Defender out of an area near Crimea that Moscow claimed as its territorial waters. —ABC News, 16 June 2026

The Philippines is getting six used Japanese escort destroyers armed with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and naval guns. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 June 2026

The system was specifically developed as a higher-voltage, higher-output successor to the AG9140 generator used on earlier destroyers. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destroyer

• destroyer escort
• self-destroyer
• tank destroyer

Rhymes for destroyer

• employer
• foyer
• oyer
• multiemployer

Kids Definition

destroyer

noun

de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r 

1

: one that destroys

2

: a small fast warship armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles