Destroy Meaning
/dɪˈstɹɔɪ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
verbTo neutralize, undo a property or condition.
Sentence Examples
We think nuclear weapons will destroy our earth.
With respect to these documents, I think the best thing is to destroy them.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hurricane threatened to ____ the entire coastal town with fierce winds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We think nuclear weapons will ____ our earth.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō, from Classical Latin dēstruō, from dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“to build”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Destroy this temple, and in three dayes I will raise it vp."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 2:19:
"Repeated use of this type of [water] on plants results in deflocculation[] of the soil. Good quality soil consists of loose aggregates which provide natural aeration and ease of root run. Sodium accumulation in soil destroys this natural flocculation and causes the soil to pack."
— 1972 November 5, Joan Lee Faust, “AROUND THE Garden”, in The New York Times:
"Krav is a martial art of last resort that assumes no quarter and focuses purely on disarming, disabling and, if necessary, destroying your opponent."
— 2013, Steven McLaughlin, Clubland UK: On the Door in the Rave Era:
"Other girls in the foster home are eager to destroy her and get her kicked out of the place. It's a tough situation."
— 2005, Kliatt Young Adult Paperback Book Guide:
"Growing up, [Kevin] Durant told me, he was a sore loser. That all changed one day when he was 11, after he got destroyed by his father in a game of one on one in the driveway."
— 2012 November 11, Sam Anderson, “The Oklahoma City Thunder's Fairy-Tale Rise”, in The New York Times Magazine, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 Apr 2023:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The hurricane threatened to ____ the entire coastal town with fierce winds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We think nuclear weapons will ____ our earth.