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 Navy’s futuristic Zumwalt-class destroyers, originally built for shore bombardment and stealth operations, have been reimagined as hypersonic strike platforms.
—
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, the outgoing 47th task group, comprising the destroyer CNS Baotou, the frigate CNS Honghe and the supply ship CNS Gaoyouhu, has been on deployment for almost a year, after the three-ship flotilla left Zhoushan, China, on December 15, 2024.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
In August, Washington launched a major deployment in the southern Caribbean, forming a Joint Task Force that included three destroyers equipped for air, anti-submarine, and missile defense missions, plus an amphibious group of about 4,500 troops.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
Argentina and Venezuela each provided two destroyers and airplanes; Venezuela contributed its only submarine to the quarantine.
—Time, 28 Oct. 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.
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, the outgoing 47th task group, comprising the destroyer CNS Baotou, the frigate CNS Honghe and the supply ship CNS Gaoyouhu, has been on deployment for almost a year, after the three-ship flotilla left Zhoushan, China, on December 15, 2024.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
In August, Washington launched a major deployment in the southern Caribbean, forming a Joint Task Force that included three destroyers equipped for air, anti-submarine, and missile defense missions, plus an amphibious group of about 4,500 troops.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
Argentina and Venezuela each provided two destroyers and airplanes; Venezuela contributed its only submarine to the quarantine.
—Time, 28 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 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