/ dɪˈstrɔɪ; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to damage sth so badly that it no longer exists, works, etc. :
The building was completely destroyed by fire.
They've destroyed all the evidence.
Heat gradually destroys vitamin C.
You have destroyed my hopes of happiness.
Failure was slowly destroying him (= making him less and less confident and happy) .
2.
to kill an animal deliberately, usually because it is sick or not wanted :
The injured horse had to be destroyed.
—see also soul-destroying
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WORD FAMILY
destroy verb
destroyer noun
destruction noun
destructive adjective
indestructible adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French destruire , based on Latin destruere , from de- (expressing reversal) + struere build.