Want to say destroy differently? Here are other words for destroy and its similar synonyms and opposite words to say in unique way.
Meaning of destroy
The primary meaning of "destroy" is to cause something to be completely ruined or spoiled.
Etymology of destroy
The word "destroy" comes from the Old French word "destruire", which is derived from the Latin words "de" (meaning "from" or "away") and "struire" (meaning "to build" or "to construct"), with the sense of "unbuilding" or "tearing down"
Historically, the word "destroy" has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the act of causing something to be completely ruined or spoiled
Synonyms
annihilate
demolish
devastate
ravage
ruin
wreck
dismantle
disintegrate
disrupt
demolish
shatter
smash
crush
pulverize
devastate
lay waste
raze
obliterate
extirpate
eradicate
extinguish
quash
squash
quell
suppress
overcome
overpower
overpowering
overwhelm
subdue
vanquish
conquer
defeat
demolish
destroy
dismantle
dismantle
dismember
dissolve
gut
incapacitate
invalidate
liquidate
neutralize
nullify
overturn
quell
quench
ravage
render
repeal
repudiate
rescind
reverse
revoke
shatter
smash
subdue
suppress
topple
undo
undermine
vandalize
wreck
Definitions
- To cause something to be completely ruined or spoiled so that it no longer exists or is no longer usable
- * To cause someone's reputation or confidence to be completely ruined
- * To kill or defeat someone or something
Usage Examples
- The fire destroyed the entire building
- * The company's reputation was destroyed by the scandal
- * The enemy destroyed our army in the battle
Antonyms
create
build
construct
repair
restore
preserve
conserve
protect
defend
save
salvage
rescue
rehabilitate
renew
revitalize
rejuvenate
revamp
renovate
reconstruct
reform
recreate
reestablish
reintegrate
rebuild
redevelop
recover
redeem
preserve
maintain
sustain
support
uphold
validate
verify
vindicate
confirm
affirm