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Definition of destroy
transitive verb
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
2a : to put out of existence : kill destroy an injured horseb : neutralize the moon destroys the light of the starsc : annihilate, vanquish armies had been crippled but not destroyed — W. L. Shirer
intransitive verb
: to cause ruin or destruction it is proverbially easier to destroy than to construct — T. S. Eliot
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Examples 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 of destroy from the Web
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It was validated when the team destroyed the Vikings.
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At least 14 curbside mailboxes were destroyed or damaged in a vandalism spree on Naperville's far southwest side, according to police and online records.
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The fire and police departments have determined the fire was set to destroy evidence of a burglary of the house, according to authorities.
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Simulations that don’t include the effect of CH2Cl2 suggest that high-altitude ozone in the Antarctic will return to pre-1980 levels, the concentration measured before CFCs and other ozone-destroying chemicals were recognized as a problem, in 2065.
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The company said the dispenser was withdrawn from the market and destroyed at the time, but that many of the products recalled were never brought back.
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One particularly dangerous feature is the Armata's ability to destroy targets at ranges of up to 12 kilometers, or 7.4 miles.
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But what’s certain is another cultural treasure has been destroyed in ISIS’s wake.
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Those who weren’t had their property packed up and destroyed.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destroy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of destroy
Middle English, from Anglo-French destroy-, destrui-, stem of destrure, from Vulgar Latin *destrugere, alteration of Latin destruere, from de- + struere to build — more at structure
DESTROY Defined for English Language Learners
destroy
playDefinition of destroy for English Language Learners
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: to cause (something) to end or no longer exist : to cause the destruction of (something) : to damage (something) so badly that it cannot be repaired
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: to kill (an animal) especially because it is sick, injured, or dangerous
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: to defeat (someone or something) easily or completely
DESTROY Defined for Kids
Learn More about destroy
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See words that rhyme with destroy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for destroy Spanish Central: Translation of destroy Nglish: Translation of destroy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of destroy for Arabic speakers
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