ENGLISH
REFERENCE

destroy

v.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //dɪˈstɹɔɪ// UK //dɪstɹˈɔɪ// de·stroy General-service Informal Slang Vulgar

v. to damage something so badly that it cannot be used or fixed anymore.

v. to damage an object, structure, or system so severely that it ceases to exist or cannot be repaired.


SIMPLE

The fire managed to destroy the entire building in minutes.

CONTEXTUAL

Heavy rains and strong winds threatened to destroy the crops just before the harvest began.

COMPLEX

The general's strategy was not merely to defeat the opposing army but to destroy their infrastructure and supply lines entirely.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō, from Classical Latin dēstruō, from dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“I build”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

The storm was destroy the house.The storm destroyed the house.Learners often forget to use the past tense form 'destroyed' when describing completed events in the past.

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