destroy

verb

de·​stroy di-ˈstrȯi 

dē-

destroyed; destroying; destroys

transitive verb

1

: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of : damage beyond repair

destroyed the files

Their reputation was destroyed.

A disease that destroys the body's ability to fight off illness.

2

a

: to put out of existence : kill

destroy an injured horse

b

: neutralize

the moon destroys the light of the stars

c

: annihilate, vanquish

… marines have been trained to close with and destroy the enemy. That's what we do.

—Stephen W. Larose

d

informal : to defeat soundly

destroyed the other team 10-1

intransitive verb

: to cause ruin or destruction

It is proverbially easier to destroy than to construct …

—T. S. Eliot

Synonyms of destroy

• ruin
• demolish
• devastate
• shatter
• wreck
• smash
• overcome

Examples of destroy in a Sentence

Eventually our problems with money destroyed our marriage.

All the files were deliberately destroyed.

The disease destroys the body's ability to fight off illness.

The bomb blast destroyed the village.

The dog had to be destroyed since its owner could not prevent it from attacking people.

Recent Examples on the Web

So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction. —Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025

Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025

Like the vast, uncaring jungle in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the Tyranids are an irresistible force that seeks to surround and destroy humanity through the weight of pure biological necessity. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025

The disaster killed at least 14 people and destroyed nearby businesses and buildings. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destroy-, destrui-, stem of destrure, from Vulgar Latin *destrugere, alteration of Latin destruere, from de- + struere to build — more at structure

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for destroy

• ahoy
• alloy
• annoy
• carboy
• convoy
• cowboy
• decoy
• deploy
• employ
• employe
• enjoy
• kilroy

Kids Definition

destroy

verb

de·​stroy di-ˈstrȯi 

1

: to put an end to : do away with : ruin

2

: kill entry 1 sense 1, slaughter