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
That includes next-generation destroyers and amphibious ships that will form the backbone of the fleet in the coming decades.
—
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025
Japan said the Chinese J-15 jets involved in the two incidents were launched from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was maneuvering south of the Okinawan islands with three missile destroyers.
—CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Five of the eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships stationed at the base were sunk or severely damaged.
—James Powel, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Over the course of its full deployment from September 2024 through May 2025, the carrier strike group had a friendly fire incident in December — when a Navy destroyer launched missiles at two F-18s — a collision with a merchant ship in February and lost two F-18s, one in April and another in May.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
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Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025
Japan said the Chinese J-15 jets involved in the two incidents were launched from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was maneuvering south of the Okinawan islands with three missile destroyers.
—CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Five of the eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships stationed at the base were sunk or severely damaged.
—James Powel, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Over the course of its full deployment from September 2024 through May 2025, the carrier strike group had a friendly fire incident in December — when a Navy destroyer launched missiles at two F-18s — a collision with a merchant ship in February and lost two F-18s, one in April and another in May.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Cite this Entry
“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
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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