Destroy Definition
dĭ-stroi
destroyed, destroying, destroys
verb
destroyed, destroying, destroys
To tear down; demolish.
Webster's New World
To break apart the structure of, render physically unusable, or cause to cease to exist as a distinguishable physical entity.
The fire destroyed the library. The tumor was destroyed with a laser.
American Heritage
To break up or spoil completely; ruin.
Webster's New World
To put an end to; do away with.
Webster's New World
To bring about destruction.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Origin of Destroy
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Middle English destroien from Old French destruire from Vulgar Latin dēstrūgere back-formation from Latin dēstrūctus past participle of dēstruere to destroy dē- de- struere to pile up ster-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō, from Classical Latin dēstruō, from dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“I build”). Displaced native Old English shend (“destroy, injure”).
From Wiktionary
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