Destroy: meaning, definitions and examples
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destroy
[ dɪˈstrɔɪ ]
in war
Cause severe and extensive damage to something. Completely ruin or spoil something.
Synonyms
demolish, devastate, obliterate, ruin, wreck
Examples of usage
- The bombing campaign aimed to destroy enemy infrastructure.
- The hurricane destroyed the coastal town.
physically
Put an end to the existence of something by damaging or attacking it.
Synonyms
annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate, extinguish
Examples of usage
- He destroyed the evidence before the police arrived.
- The fire quickly destroyed the old building.
Translations
Translations of the word "destroy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 destruir
🇮🇳 नष्ट करना
🇩🇪 zerstören
🇮🇩 menghancurkan
🇺🇦 знищити
🇵🇱 zniszczyć
🇯🇵 破壊する (はかいする)
🇫🇷 détruire
🇪🇸 destruir
🇹🇷 yıkmak
🇰🇷 파괴하다 (파괴하다)
🇸🇦 تدمير (tadmīr)
🇨🇿 zničit
🇸🇰 zničit
🇨🇳 摧毁 (cuīhuǐ)
🇸🇮 uničiti
🇮🇸 eyðileggja
🇰🇿 жою
🇬🇪 დამანგრეველი (damangreveli)
🇦🇿 məhv etmək
🇲🇽 destruir
Word origin
The word 'destroy' originated from the Latin word 'destruere', which means 'to pull down, demolish'. The term has been used in English since the 13th century, evolving to its current meaning of causing severe damage or putting an end to something. Over time, 'destroy' has been commonly associated with acts of war, natural disasters, and emotional devastation.
See also: destroyer, destruction, indestructible.