destroy
//dɪˈstɹɔɪ//
Forms
- present (v1)
- destroy
- past (v2)
- destroyed
- past participle (v3)
- destroyed
- present participle
- destroying
- 3rd person singular
- destroys
Definitions
1.To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
- The earthquake destroyed several apartment complexes.
- Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Destroy this temple, and in three dayes I will raise it vp.
- Krav is a martial art of last resort that assumes no quarter and focuses purely on disarming, disabling and, if necessary, destroying your opponent.
2.To neutralize, undo a property or condition.
- Smoking destroys the natural subtlety of the palate.
3.To put down or euthanize.
- Destroying a rabid dog is required by law.
4.To severely disrupt the well-being of (a person); ruin.
- Her divorce destroyed her; she had a nervous breakdown and was severely depressed for more than a year.
- Other girls in the foster home are eager to destroy her and get her kicked out of the place. It's a tough situation.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1252
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English destroyen
From Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō
From Classical Latin dēstruō
From dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“to build”).