Destroy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈstrȯi/ de·stroy

Meaning & Definition of Destroy

Destroy (verb)

  1. to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of, damage beyond repair
  2. to put out of existence, kill
  3. neutralize

Destroy (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of

    "they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside"

    "their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course"

    similar: annihilate, cream, decimate, demolish, desolate, devastate, do in, extinguish, nuke, pull down, pulverize, raze, rub out, ruin, shatter, smash, tear down, total, vaporize, waste, wrack, wreck
    related: beat, best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, overbear, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, scotch, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), blast, blow up, break, cripple, damage, deface, deteriorate, disfigure, disintegrate, dissolve, dynamite, harm, impair, injure, mangle, mar, mutilate, spoil, vitiate, erode, scour, sweep (away), wash out, wear (away), dilapidate, disassemble, dismantle, gut, take down, unbuild, undo, unmake, blot out, efface, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, remove, root (out), snuff (out), stamp (out), wipe out, despoil, havoc, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack, trample, trash, vandalize, assassinate, butcher, cut down, dispatch, execute, fell, kill, kill off, massacre, mow (down), murder, slaughter, slay, take out, zap
    opposite: build, construct, erect, put up, raise, rear, set up
    near: doctor, fix, mend, patch, recondition, repair, revamp, create, invent, assemble, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, mold, produce, shape, bring about, constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize, conserve, preserve, protect, save, rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, renovate, restore

  2. to bring destruction to (something) through violent action

    "wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state"

    similar: devastate, ravage, ruin, scourge
    related: despoil, foray, harry, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip, annihilate, desolate, eradicate, expunge, extinguish, extirpate, nuke, obliterate, rub out, shatter, smash, total, vaporize, waste, wipe out, wrack, wreck, decimate, mow, demolish, raze, crush, overpower, overrun, overthrow, overwhelm
    near: recondition, recover, redeem, rehabilitate, restore, fix, mend, patch, repair, revamp

  3. to deprive of life

    "regrettably, the veterinarian was forced to destroy the injured horse"

    similar: carry off, claim, croak (slang), dispatch, do in, fell, kill, slay, take, do away with, do for (chiefly British), make away with
    related: bump off, butcher, cut down, finish, get, ice (slang), knock off, murder, neutralize, off (slang), put away, rub out, scrag, snuff, take out, waste, whack (slang), annihilate, blot out, decimate, kill off, massacre, mow, slaughter, smite, assassinate, execute, martyr, terminate, euthanize, put down, suicide
    opposite: animate
    near: raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive, nurture

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Destroy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Destroy:

Slang: croak
Chiefly British: do for
annihilate, cream, decimate, demolish, desolate, devastate, do in, extinguish, nuke, pull down, pulverize, raze, rub out, ruin, shatter, smash, tear down, total, vaporize, waste, wrack, wreck, ravage, scourge, carry off, claim, dispatch, fell, kill, slay, take, do away with, make away with

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Destroy

Words with the opposite meaning of Destroy:

build, construct, erect, put up, raise, rear, set up, animate

Related Words for Destroy

beat, best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, overbear, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, scotch, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), blast, blow up, break, cripple, damage

Near Antonyms of Destroy

doctor, fix, mend, patch, recondition, repair, revamp, create, invent, assemble, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, mold, produce, shape, bring about, constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize, conserve, preserve, protect

Word Forms of Destroy

Inflections: destroyed, destroying, destroys

Origin & Etymology of Destroy

Middle English, from Anglo-French destroy-, destrui-, stem of destrure, from Vulgar Latin *destrugere, alteration of Latin destruere, from de- + struere to build structure

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Destroy

Frequently Asked Questions about Destroy

What does "Destroy" mean?

"Destroy" means to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of, damage beyond repair. As a verb, it is defined as: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of, damage beyond repair. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Destroy"?

Other words for "Destroy" include annihilate, cream, decimate, demolish, desolate, devastate, do in and extinguish. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Destroy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Destroy"?

There are 151 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Destroy". Common alternatives include annihilate, cream, decimate, demolish, desolate, devastate, do in, extinguish, nuke and pull down.

What is the opposite of "Destroy"?

Antonyms of "Destroy" include build, construct, erect, put up, raise, rear, set up and animate. Near antonyms include doctor, fix, mend and patch.

How do you use "Destroy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Destroy" in a sentence: "they practically destroyed the safe in order to get at the money inside"; "their poor scores on the final exam destroyed any chance they might have had to pass the course"; "wildfires destroyed thousands of acres in forests across the state".

Is "Destroy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Destroy" is a verb.

Is "Destroy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Destroy" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Destroy"?

"Destroy" is pronounced /di-ˈstrȯi/ and divided into syllables as de·stroy.