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
Naval assets comprise the destroyers USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, USS Sampson, the cruiser USS Lake Erie, the littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, USS Fort Lauderdale, and the fast-attack submarine USS Newport News.
—
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The law enforcement detachment aboard the destroyer boarded the Venezuelan craft and carried out a search that turned up no drugs, according to the official.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
For over 40 years, the Phalanx has stood as the Navy’s last line of defense, protecting carriers, destroyers, and other warships from threats that break through long-range missile shields.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
The proliferation of online chatbots and their growing use have raised questions about their potential as helpers or destroyers of our emotional well-being.
—Gil Press, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The law enforcement detachment aboard the destroyer boarded the Venezuelan craft and carried out a search that turned up no drugs, according to the official.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
For over 40 years, the Phalanx has stood as the Navy’s last line of defense, protecting carriers, destroyers, and other warships from threats that break through long-range missile shields.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
The proliferation of online chatbots and their growing use have raised questions about their potential as helpers or destroyers of our emotional well-being.
—Gil Press, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share