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destroy

de·stroy

destroy

 
 
pronunciation:
dih stroI
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: destroys, destroying, destroyed
definition 1: to damage beyond repair; ruin.
The fire destroyed the entire building.Most of the city was destroyed by the bombings.
synonyms:
break, demolish, ruin, smash, total, wipe out, wreck
similar words:
annihilate, assassinate, blast, blight, bust, consume, damage, decimate, desolate, devastate, end, gut, harry, level, mangle, pulverize, rape, ravage, raze, shatter, spoil, trash, waste, zap
definition 2: to put an end to.
Losing in the first round destroyed her dream of winning the championship.
synonyms:
extinguish, kill, wipe out, wreck
antonyms:
create
similar words:
abolish, annihilate, bust, choke, crush, demolish, devastate, end, eradicate, extirpate, pulverize, quash, quell, sever, spoil, squash, stifle, stop, subdue, suppress, terminate, trample
definition 3: to kill.
Many animals in shelters eventually have to be destroyed.
synonyms:
finish, kill, slay, waste, wipe out, zap
similar words:
assassinate, end, liquidate, murder, slaughter, take
definition 4: to make useless.
Renewed incidents of violence destroyed recent efforts being made toward peace.
synonyms:
counteract, invalidate, negate, nullify, overcome
similar words:
annul, cancel, debilitate, maim, neutralize, override, undermine, weaken
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to be destructive; harm or ruin.
He has the power to create or to destroy.
antonyms:
create
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