destroyed; destroying; destroys
1
: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of : damage beyond repair
destroyed the files
Their reputation was destroyed.
A disease that destroys the body's ability to fight off illness.
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
d
informal
: to defeat soundly
destroyed the other team 10-1
: 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 sweeping ban on hemp products recently approved by the Chicago City Council threatens to destroy small local businesses, eliminate consumer choice and deliver a monopoly to dispensary insiders.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Palestinians see Rafah as a lifeline for the tens of thousands in need of treatment outside the territory, where the majority of medical infrastructure has been destroyed.
—CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Its gift shop and offices are destroyed and the trademark jaws entrance is damaged (and later restored).
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
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Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Palestinians see Rafah as a lifeline for the tens of thousands in need of treatment outside the territory, where the majority of medical infrastructure has been destroyed.
—CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Its gift shop and offices are destroyed and the trademark jaws entrance is damaged (and later restored).
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroy. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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