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

According to MT_Anderson, an open-source intelligence analyst on X, the remaining destroyers were spread across the Mediterranean, citing satellite imagery. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

To put that into perspective, that is bigger than current destroyers and closer to cruiser size. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025

One of its destroyers is in the Arabian Sea and another is in the Red Sea, a person familiar with the operation told The Associated Press. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

Vasyl Maliuk initiated the idea of creating destroyers of naval surface drones based on the 'sea baby' unmanned platforms. —Anastasiia Malenko, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destroyer

• destroyer escort
• self-destroyer
• tank destroyer

Rhymes for destroyer

• employer
• foyer
• oyer
• multiemployer

Kids 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