destroy

destroy

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Pronunciation

IPA phonetic spelling for "destroy": /dɪˈstrɔɪ/

• De- /dɪ/ - The "d" sound as in "dog," followed by a short "ih" sound as in "sit."

• -stroy /strɔɪ/ - The "s" sound as in "snake," followed by a "tr" sound as in "tree," and then the "oy" sound as in "boy."

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Word Form Variations

• Verb: destroy (base form), destroys (third-person singular present), destroying (present participle), destroyed (past simple, past participle)

• Noun (from the verb): destroyer (person or thing that destroys), destruction (the act or process of destroying; the state of being destroyed)

• Adjective (from the verb): destructible (able to be destroyed), indestructible (not able to be destroyed), destroyed (past participle used as an adjective, e.g., "the destroyed city")

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

• Definition 1: To completely break down, ruin, or put an end to the existence of something, rendering it unusable, irreparable, or nonexistent.

• Synonyms: demolish, obliterate, raze, annihilate, shatter, wreck, dismantle, eradicate

• Antonyms: create, build, construct, repair, restore, preserve, establish, generate

• Definition 2: To cause severe damage to something, making it highly impaired or dysfunctional, often with the implication of intentionality or a devastating impact.

• Synonyms: damage, devastate, ruin, impair, cripple, sabotage, vandalize

• Antonyms: improve, enhance, mend, fix, optimize, develop, strengthen

• Definition 3: To put an end to a feeling, belief, or state, often in a forceful or definitive manner.

• Synonyms: crush, shatter, extinguish, quash, undermine, invalidate, nullify

• Antonyms: foster, cultivate, strengthen, affirm, promote, establish, maintain

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He had come to destroy the Ring, and with it the power of Sauron, not to use it." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, July 1954)

• "The goal was not merely to defeat the enemy's army but to destroy their will to fight." (From a historical analysis of World War II strategies, as might be found in a book like The Second World War by Winston Churchill, 1948)

• Newspapers:

• "The recent hurricane threatened to destroy coastal communities, prompting widespread evacuations." (As might be found in The New York Times)

• "Economists warn that unchecked inflation could destroy consumer purchasing power." (From a financial news section, e.g., The Wall Street Journal)

• Online Publications:

• "Cybersecurity experts advise strong passwords to prevent hackers from being able to destroy or steal sensitive data." (TechCrunch)

• "A study published in Nature Communications explored how invasive species can destroy native ecosystems." (Nature.com)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to locate and destroy the device before it falls into the wrong hands." (From a line of dialogue in a spy thriller movie, e.g., Mission: Impossible franchise, May 2025 release)

• Video Game: "The objective of this level is to destroy all enemy structures." (Common mission objective in strategy or action games, e.g., StarCraft, August 2024 update)

• Television Series: "Her ambition was so strong, it threatened to destroy her relationships with those closest to her." (Dialogue from a drama series, e.g., Succession, October 2023)

• Music (Lyrics): "You destroy my peace of mind, every single time." (From song lyrics, often found in popular music, e.g., a pop song released in February 2025)

• General Public Discourse:

• "The continuous irresponsible dumping of waste will ultimately destroy our planet's oceans." (Environmental activist, public speech)

• "That last play was incredible; our team absolutely destroyed the competition!" (Sports fan discussing a game)

• "If we don't address these social inequalities, they will eventually destroy the fabric of our society." (Comment made during a public debate)

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10 Quotes Using Destroy

1. "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" (Abraham Lincoln)

2. "To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day." (Winston Churchill)

3. "But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated." (Ernest Hemingway)

4. "America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy." (John Quincy Adams)

5. "If it can be destroyed by the truth, it deserves to be destroyed by the truth." (Carl Sagan)

6. "You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind." (Mahatma Gandhi)

7. "The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history." (George Orwell)

8. "Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad." (Euripides)

9. "The toughest thing about the power of trust is that it's very difficult to build and very easy to destroy." (Thomas J. Watson)

10. "Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel." (King Solomon)

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Etymology

The word "destroy" has a long history, going back to Latin. It essentially means to "un-build" or "tear down."

• Origin: The word "destroy" comes from the Old French word "destruire."

• Latin Roots: "Destruire" itself came from the Latin word "destruere." This Latin word is made up of two parts:

• "de-": This prefix often means "down," "away," or "reversal." Think of words like "deconstruct" or "depress."

• "struere": This part means "to build" or "to pile up." It's related to words like "structure" and "construct."

So, when you put "de-" and "struere" together, you get the literal meaning of "to un-build" or "to tear down."

• First Known Use and Meaning: The English word "destroy" first appeared in the Middle English period, around the 1200s. Its initial meaning was "to overthrow, lay waste, or ruin," which perfectly reflects its Latin origins of taking something built and tearing it down. Over time, its meaning expanded to include killing, annihilating, or bringing something to an end.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Destroy

• Destroy evidence: To eliminate proof of something.

• Destroy someone's career/reputation: To ruin a person's professional standing or public image.

• Destroy someone's faith/trust: To cause someone to lose belief or confidence in something or someone.

• Destroy all hope: To eliminate any possibility of a positive outcome.

• Destroy the competition: To utterly defeat opponents, often in sports or business.

• Destroy the argument: To thoroughly discredit or refute an opposing viewpoint.

• Destroy bridges: (Idiomatic, using a synonym "burn" for similar effect) To ruin relationships, making reconciliation impossible.

• Wreck havoc: (Idiomatic, using a synonym "wreck" for similar effect) To cause great damage or disruption.

• Lay waste to: (Idiomatic, using "waste" which implies destruction) To completely devastate an area or a group.

• Tear down a belief: (Using "tear down" for similar effect) To dismantle or discredit a deeply held conviction.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of destroy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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