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.
America and the world need Trump to be a disrupter and reformer, not merely a destroyer. Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Kaga: Kure, Japan The Kaga, which is a helicopter destroyer undergoing conversion into the country's first aircraft carrier since World War II, remained pierside at Kure naval base in Hiroshima prefecture, according to a photo shared by a ship spotter on Monday. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Within hours, however, hope sailed into view in the form of the HMCS Caldwell, a Canadian destroyer that pulled close enough to identify the stricken sailboat. David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025 Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. Royce Branning, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near destroyer

Cite this Entry

“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 24 Jan. 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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