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
Kim has called for building two more 5,000-ton-class destroyers.
—
ABC News, 5 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 move increases output capacity from supporting two destroyers annually to three, helping meet growing demand for the Navy’s Flight III DDG-51 program.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Strategists who’ve studied the issue for the Navy say there’s a case for a warship somewhat larger than current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which displace less than 10,000 tons and carry a little under 100 vertical launch cells for missiles and interceptors.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
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ABC News, 5 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 move increases output capacity from supporting two destroyers annually to three, helping meet growing demand for the Navy’s Flight III DDG-51 program.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Strategists who’ve studied the issue for the Navy say there’s a case for a warship somewhat larger than current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which displace less than 10,000 tons and carry a little under 100 vertical launch cells for missiles and interceptors.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Cite this Entry
“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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