destroy

de-stroy · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To completely ruin or put an end to something; to damage beyond repair.

  2. 2.

    To kill an animal, especially one that is sick or dangerous.

  3. 3.

    To defeat someone completely in a competition or argument.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    destroy someone's hopes — to ruin someone's expectations or dreams
  • •
    destroy the evidence — to eliminate proof of wrongdoing

Related words

Antonyms: build, construct, create
See also: demolish, destruction, ruin
Synonyms: annihilate, demolish, devastate, ruin

Etymology

From Old French destruire, from Latin destruere ("to tear down, demolish"), from de- ("down") + struere ("to build, pile up").