destroy
verb OPAL S
/dɪˈstrɔɪ/
/dɪˈstrɔɪ/
Word Family
- destroy verb
- destroyer noun
- destruction noun
- destructive adjective
- indestructible adjective
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they destroy | /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ |
| he / she / it destroys | /dɪˈstrɔɪz/ /dɪˈstrɔɪz/ |
| past simple destroyed | /dɪˈstrɔɪd/ /dɪˈstrɔɪd/ |
| past participle destroyed | /dɪˈstrɔɪd/ /dɪˈstrɔɪd/ |
| -ing form destroying | /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/ /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/ |
- destroy something to damage something so badly that it no longer exists, works, etc.
- The building was completely destroyed by fire.
- The earthquake damaged or destroyed countless homes.
- Some of the habitat has already been totally destroyed.
- They've destroyed all the evidence.
Extra Examples- Drugs can destroy the health and lives of young people.
- He physically destroyed the computer by smashing it to pieces.
- Our greed may ultimately destroy the planet.
- She seemed intent on destroying everything they had built up together.
- That guy just single-handedly destroyed everything we've worked for.
- The bomb hit, instantly destroying the building.
- The earthquake literally destroyed their villages.
- The rainforest is being systematically destroyed.
- These weapons are capable of destroying the entire planet.
- This disease threatens to destroy many of our native trees.
- a new attempt to destroy enemy positions
- The brigade's mission was to destroy the enemy.
- Heat gradually destroys vitamin C.
- You have destroyed my hopes of happiness.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- completely
- entirely
- totally
- …
- can
- could
- etc.
- …
- an attempt to destroy something
- be capable of destroying something
- be intent on destroying something
- …
- destroy somebody/something to take all the value and pleasure from somebody's life; to ruin (= completely damage) somebody's life or reputation
- Failure was slowly destroying him.
- She threatened to destroy my reputation.
- He wanted revenge on the man who had destroyed his life.
- Their lives have been virtually destroyed by this tragedy.
- destroy something to kill an animal deliberately, usually because it is sick or not wanted
- The injured horse had to be destroyed.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- humanely
- have to be destroyed
see also soul-destroying
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French destruire, based on Latin destruere, from de- (expressing reversal) + struere ‘build’.