destroyer

noun

de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r How to pronounce destroyer (audio)
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
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for destroyer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destroyer was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

destroyer

noun
de·​stroy·​er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r How to pronounce destroyer (audio)
1
: one that destroys
2
: a small fast warship armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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