Destroyed
[dɪˈstrɔɪd]
Definitions
To ruin something completely, to put an end to it.
[dɪˈstrɔɪd]
To cause so much damage to something that it can no longer exist or function.
The fire destroyed the entire building.
💡 Simply: Imagine you built a super cool LEGO castle, and someone smashed it into tiny pieces. That's what it means to destroy something! It's gone, finished, no more.
👶 For kids: To break something so badly that it can't be used anymore.
More Examples
The army destroyed the bridge to prevent the enemy from crossing.
The drought destroyed the crops, causing a food shortage.
How It's Used
"The hurricane destroyed the entire town."
"The enemy destroyed our supply lines."
"Pollution destroyed the coral reefs."
Idioms & expressions
to destroy someone's reputation
To damage someone's good name or public image.
"The scandal threatened to destroy the politician's reputation."
destroyer of worlds
A metaphorical term for something extremely destructive or powerful, often used in a grand or epic scale.
"The nuclear bomb was called the 'destroyer of worlds' due to its devastating potential."
From Middle English destruien, from Old French destruire, from Latin destruere, from de- (down, away) + struere (to build).
The word 'destroy' has been used since the 13th century and has consistently denoted a forceful act causing irreversible damage.
Memory tip
Think of a 'DE-STROYER' ship, it DESTROYS things.
Word Origin
"to unbuild, tear down, ruin"