destroy
/dɪˈstrɔɪ/
Word Family
1 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.
Collocations
adverb
verb + destroy
etc.…
phrases
be intent on destroying something 2 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.
3 destroy something to kill an animal deliberately, usually because it is sick or not wanted
The injured horse had to be destroyed.
Collocations
adverb
phrases
have to be destroyed
Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French destruire, based on Latin destruere, from de- (expressing reversal) + struere ‘build’.
e,g,