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to destroy
01
to cause damage to something in a way that it no longer exists, works, etc.
Transitive: to destroy sth
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
destroy
3rd person singular
destroys
Present participle
destroying
Past simple
destroyed
Past participle
destroyed
Examples
Environmental pollution often destroys delicate ecosystems and harms wildlife.
02
to cause someone severe emotional or spiritual harm
Transitive: to destroy sb
Examples
Her betrayal destroyed him, leaving him unable to trust anyone again.
03
to completely defeat or overpower someone
Transitive: to destroy an opponent
Examples
The champion boxer destroyed his opponent in the first round.
04
to end the life of an animal in a way intended to minimize suffering
Transitive: to destroy an animal
Examples
The vet had to destroy the horse after its injury proved untreatable.
Lexical Tree
destroyable
destroyed
destroyer
destroy
