destroy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
    destruct.
    • The fire destroyed the house
  2. verb destroy completely; damage irreparably
    ruin.
    • You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!
    • The tears ruined her make-up
  3. verb defeat soundly
    demolish.
    • The home team demolished the visitors
  4. verb put (an animal) to death
    put down.
    • The customs agents destroyed the dog that was found to be rabid
    • the sick cat had to be put down

WordNet

De*stroy" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, fr. L. destruere, destructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Destroyed ; present participle & verbal noun Destroying
Definitions
  1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish.
    But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ex. xxxiv. 13.
  2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.
    I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. Jer. xii. 17.
  3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill.
    If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some false guile pervert. Milton.
    Syn. -- To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish.

Webster 1913