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destroy definition

de·stroy (di stro̵i′)

transitive verb

  1. to tear down; demolish
  2. to break up or spoil completely; ruin
  3. to bring to total defeat; crush
  4. to put an end to; do away with
  5. to kill
  6. to neutralize the effect of
  7. to make useless

Etymology: ME destroien < OFr destruire < L destruere < de-, down + struere, to build: see structure

intransitive verb

to bring about destruction

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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