destroy
To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
Verb 4 meanings
To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
“The earthquake destroyed several apartment complexes.”
To neutralize, undo a property or condition.
“Smoking destroys the natural subtlety of the palate.”
To put down or euthanize.
“Destroying a rabid dog is required by law.”
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.”
Etymology
From Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō, from Classical Latin dēstruō, from dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“to build”).
Similar and opposite words
DESTROY at a glance
DESTROY has 7 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (D 2 + E 1 + S 1 + T 1 + R 1 + O 1 + Y 4) and 10 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #2,825 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with destroy
All rhymes- TROY7
- VICEROY15
- POMEROY14
- CORDUROY14
- STROY8
- DUROY9
- POMROY13
Keep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.