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
This California transplant has been a destroyer of agriculture and scourge of politicians for 50 years.
—
Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
There are crop destroyers, kitchen invaders, and insects that defend themselves with an unpleasant sting.
—Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
In the past decade, the PLA Navy has also made major advances in corvette construction, built eight destroyers, and completed the aircraft carriers Shandong and Fujian.
—Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2024
Sullivan said Iran had launched almost 200 missiles but that most had been intercepted by U.S. Navy destroyers and Israel's air defense systems.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroyer 
Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
There are crop destroyers, kitchen invaders, and insects that defend themselves with an unpleasant sting.
—Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
In the past decade, the PLA Navy has also made major advances in corvette construction, built eight destroyers, and completed the aircraft carriers Shandong and Fujian.
—Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2024
Sullivan said Iran had launched almost 200 missiles but that most had been intercepted by U.S. Navy destroyers and Israel's air defense systems.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destroyer
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.
Dictionary Entries Near destroyer
Cite this Entry
“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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