destroyer

noun

de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r How to pronounce destroyer (audio)
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 The vessel was damaged, and one person had a minor injury. And earlier on Saturday, the naval destroyer U.S.S. Mason shot down what Central Command said was an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 The vessel became the first U.S. destroyer ever lost to enemy fire, according to the U.S. Navy. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Houthi missiles targeted a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea in 2016, and the Pentagon responded with strikes on three radar facilities. Nicolas Niarchos, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 The Vinson strike group included, among other ships, the cruiser USS Princeton and the destroyer USS Sterett, both based in San Diego. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024 Along with the airstrikes, U.S. destroyers accompanying the carrier fired Tomahawk missiles at Houthi targets on shore. Courtney Kube, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2024 The Houthi targets were in 13 different locations and were struck by U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and by the USS Gravely and the USS Carney Navy destroyers firing Tomahawk missiles from the Red Sea, the U.S. officials told The Associated Press. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Feb. 2024 To be clear: Washington was not the sole destroyer of the Pac-12’s world. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2024 Two days later, the U.S. military dispatched three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the area. Noam Raydan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'destroyer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destroyer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near destroyer

Cite this Entry

“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

destroyer

noun
de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r How to pronounce destroyer (audio)
1
: one that destroys
2
: a small fast warship armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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