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
The $2 billion destroyer made a stop in Yokosuka, Japan, in early December before turning for home.
—
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
Of the two attacks on a destroyer that the administration of President Lyndon Johnson said required an immediate vast buildup of troops in August 1964, one was provoked by the United States and the other one never happened.
—Betty Medsger, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
China is also building many hundreds of advanced antiship and long-range surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and tens of advanced destroyers and cruisers per year.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
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Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
Of the two attacks on a destroyer that the administration of President Lyndon Johnson said required an immediate vast buildup of troops in August 1964, one was provoked by the United States and the other one never happened.
—Betty Medsger, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
China is also building many hundreds of advanced antiship and long-range surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and tens of advanced destroyers and cruisers per year.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Cite this Entry
“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
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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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