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destroyer Definition

de·stroyer (di stro̵i′ər)

noun

  1. a person or thing that destroys

  2. Etymology: orig. torpedo-boat destroyer

    a small, fast, highly maneuverable warship armed with 3-inch or 5-inch guns, depth charges, torpedoes, etc.

destroyer Synonyms

destroyer

n.

  1. A destructive agent

    annihilator, wrecker, vandal, exterminator, iconoclast, nihilist, assassin, executioner, hangman, strangler, butcher, slayer, gunman, decapitator, guillotiner, slaughterer, cutthroat, lyncher, anarchist, terrorist, firebrand, incendiary, arsonist, pyromaniac, bomber, desperado, scourge, dealer of destruction, demolisher, defacer, ruiner, eradicator, despoiler, ransacker, pillager, looter, savage, plague, pestilence, rust, cancer, acid, bane, canker, wild beast, poison, virus, fungus, hatchet man*, Goth*, Hun*, Nazi*; see also arsonist, criminal, killer, weapon 1.

    Antonyms author*, restorer, creator. *

  2. A swift armed surface vessel

    battleship, light unit, fighting vessel; see ship, warship.

destroyer Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • escort: These escorts, normally destroyers, were relieved by ships from Portland Command.
  • sink: Led the German van during the night sinking four destroyers.
  • attack: To escape she attacked the stern destroyer, HMS Daring.
  • build: The next Blanche was a Destroyer built in 1930.

Converse of subject

escort: Shortly afterward, Wanklyn intercepted another convoy of five heavily laden supply ships, escorted by four destroyers.

Adjective modifier

  • Polish: The Polish destroyer managed to tow HMS Greyhound to Dover.
  • German: History: 14 Dec, 1939 HMS Kelly is badly damaged by a German mine laid by German destroyers off the Tyne.
  • Japanese: Exeter was sunk by a torpedo from a Japanese destroyer.
  • Canadian: Also the covering cruiser HMS Bermuda was relieved by the Canadian destroyer HMCS Athabaskan and the British destroyer HMS Grenville.
  • Italian: Again, there were German air attacks and engagements with Italian destroyers and torpedo boats.
  • British: Two British destroyers reported to have been in vicinity of liner.

Modifies a noun

  • flotilla: In 1936 he was A/S officer for the 6th destroyer flotilla in China.
  • escort: Her destroyer escort returned in time to pick up survivors.

Noun used with modifier

  • torpedo-boat: The second EDEN is a turbine torpedo-boat destroyer, launched at Hawthorn Leslie's Yard in 1903.
  • crusher: May 17 2006, 11:19 AM crusher destroyer They have a legal high stall in the camp village, .. .
  • escort: Well constructed destroyers but did not make good long range escort destroyers.
  • ozone: The world's leading ozone destroyer takes credit for leadership in ozone protection.
  • missile: Each frigate had a Wasp helicopter whilst a Wessex was detached from one of the guided missile destroyers and housed on the oiler.
  • tank: The Typhoon reached the height of its fame operating as a tank destroyer.

Preposition: of

evil: Snakes are associated with the God Shiva, the destroyer of evil.