destroyed; destroying; destroys
1
: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of
destroyed the files
also
: to ruin as if by tearing to shreds
their reputation was destroyed
a disease that destroys the body's ability to fight off illness
… destroyed any hope of a return to past crackdowns … —
George Brock
George Brock 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
Stephen W. Larose
: to cause ruin or destruction
It is proverbially easier to destroy than to construct …—T. S. Eliot
T. S. EliotExamples 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
More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Fans of the franchise will remember that the Battle of Exegol was the climactic showdown between the Resistance and the First Order, which ended with the Sith being destroyed once and for all.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
In Hood County, the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department reported that a home southwest of Tolar was destroyed by a tornado and several others were damaged about 9 p.m.
Possible tornadoes also were reported in Jack County and Erath County, according to the National Weather Service.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
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Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Fans of the franchise will remember that the Battle of Exegol was the climactic showdown between the Resistance and the First Order, which ended with the Sith being destroyed once and for all.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
In Hood County, the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department reported that a home southwest of Tolar was destroyed by a tornado and several others were damaged about 9 p.m.
Possible tornadoes also were reported in Jack County and Erath County, according to the National Weather Service.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroy
Cite this Entry
“Destroy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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