destroy
Formsdestroys, destroying, destroyed
- 1To damage or eliminate something completely, so that it no longer exists, can be used, or has its former effect.
The earthquake destroyed the ancient temple beyond any hope of restoration.
Vandals can destroy a delicate sculpture in seconds.
UsageFor harm that leaves something usable, use damage: the storm damaged the roof.
Similardemolish, ruin, wreck, devastate, obliterate
Oppositecreate, build, construct, restore
Note
Buildings are its natural objects; the King James Bible of 1611 uses one figuratively: "Destroy this temple." It also reaches less solid things, such as the loose structure of good soil.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The King James Bible was first published in 1611. wwwe.lib.cam.ac.uk
- The King James Bible contains the words 'Destroy this temple'. en.wikisource.org
- 2
- 3To defeat an opponent utterly and overwhelmingly in a contest or competition.
The champion destroyed every challenger who stepped into the ring.
Top debaters can destroy weaker opponents within minutes.
UsageStronger than beat: they destroyed us by forty points.
Similarcrush, thrash, trounce, annihilate, demolish
Less common meanings
- 4To kill an animal humanely, especially to end its suffering or to control disease.
The shelter was forced to destroy several aggressive dogs.
Farmers destroyed the infected cattle under government orders.
UsageIn everyday talk, put down is the more usual phrase: the vet had to put the horse down.
- 5To eat a serving of food rapidly and hungrily, leaving nothing behind.
Like a swarm of locusts stripping a field bare in minutes.
The kids destroyed an entire tray of cookies in minutes.
After the hike we could destroy a huge plate of pasta.
UsageOften with could, before the food arrives: I could destroy a burger right now.
Similardevour, demolish, wolf, inhale, scarf
Oppositenibble
- 6To exhaust a muscle completely through intense exercise.
Coaches tell lifters to destroy each muscle group once a week.
She destroyed her shoulders in today's session and could barely lift her arms.
Similarexhaust, fatigue, blast, hammer, smash
Note
Gym slang turns the word inside out: to destroy a muscle is to work it to total exhaustion, usually in the hope that it rebuilds bigger. The irony suits a verb whose Latin root means "un-build" (see the literal sense).
- 7To perform a song so poorly that the rendition is painful for listeners to hear.
The singer at the wedding destroyed the couple's favorite love song, missing almost every high note.
Amateur singers often destroy songs that are far too hard for them.
Similarbutcher, murder, massacre, mangle, ruin
Oppositenail
Note
American slang applies the wrecking image to a bad performance and treats the song itself as the thing ruined. In Jeff Nathanson's Rush Hour 2 (2001), James Carter complains, "The man's destroying a classic!"
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Rush Hour 2 was released in 2001. en.wikipedia.org
- Jeff Nathanson wrote the screenplay for Rush Hour 2. en.wikipedia.org
- James Carter says “The man's destroying a classic!” in Rush Hour 2. en.wiktionary.org
- 8To penetrate someone sexually in a rough and aggressive way.
He bragged to his friends that he was going to destroy her in bed.
He boasted to the locker room about destroying his latest conquest.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, going back through Vulgar Latin *destrugō to Latin dēstruō. This combines the prefix dē- ('un-, de-') with struō ('I build'), giving the sense of 'to un-build'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Destroy comes from Middle English destroyen, borrowed from Old French destruire. en.wiktionary.org
- The Old French word derives through reconstructed Vulgar Latin *destrugō from Latin dēstruō, combining a reversing prefix with the verb meaning build, hence 'un-build'. en.wiktionary.org