Destroy means to causemake something happen or bring about a result something to stop existing, stop working, or be completelytotally; with nothing left out or undone damagedharmed so it no longer works well or looks intact. It can also mean to kill an animal, or to beat someone or something very badly in a contest or fight.
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Destroy Meaning
to make something no longer exist or work by causing serious damage
Part of speech: verb
Definition: do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
Example: The fire destroyed the house.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ruin — A strong substitute when something is damaged so badly it is no longer usable or whole.
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Other Meanings of Destroy
Meaning 2
to kill an animal, often because it is very sick or dangerous
Part of speech: verb
Definition: put (an animal) to death
Example: The vet had to destroy the dog because it was suffering badly.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- put down — Used especially for ending an animal’s life, usually for humane reasons.
Meaning 3
to beat someone or something very badly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: defeat soundly and humiliatingly
Example: Our team was destroyed in the final match.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- demolish — Works for heavy defeat in sports or competition, not for physical damage.
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Destroy Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- ruin
put (an animal) to death
- put down
defeat soundly and humiliatingly
- demolish
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Common Mistakes
- Using destroy to mean only ‘damage a little’ — it usually implies severe damage or complete loss.
- Using destruct as a synonym in ordinary English.
- Mixing up destroy with demolish when talking about physical structures; demolish is more specific to tearing down buildings or similar things.
The section above was reviewed by a man
Frequently Asked Questions
What does destroy mean?
Destroy means to cause something to be ruined, broken beyond repair, or no longer exist.
What is a simple synonym for destroy?
A simple synonym is ruin, when something is badly damaged or ruined.
Can destroy mean to kill?
Yes. In some contexts, especially with animals, destroy can mean to put the animal to death.
Is destruct a synonym for destroy?
Not in normal everyday English. Destruct is not a natural direct synonym for destroy.
The section above was reviewed by a man