Destroy

Quick meaning: Destroy is a verb meaning (ambitransitive) To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.

Meaning

(ambitransitive) To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To neutralize, undo a property or condition.
2. (transitive) To put down or euthanize.
3. (transitive) To severely disrupt the well-being of (a person); ruin.
4. (transitive, informal) To utterly defeat; to crush.
5. (transitive, computing) To remove data.
6. (transitive, bodybuilding, slang, antiphrasis) To exhaust completely and thus recreate or build up.
7. (transitive, slang, vulgar) To penetrate sexually in an aggressive way.

Example Sentences

Hooligans destroy unprovoked.

Destroying a rabid dog is required by law.

Smoking destroys the natural subtlety of the palate.

The earthquake destroyed several apartment complexes.

Word Forms

• destroys
• destroying
• destroyed

Synonyms for destroy

Depending on context, synonyms include annihilate, break, demolish, kill, ruin, waste.

Antonyms for destroy

Common opposites include build, construct, create, make, raise, repair.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include ruin, demolish, wreck, devastate, destructive, ravage.

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