Added 9 October 2026
destroy
/dɪˈstɹɔɪ/ verb
In Latin: populor, dēleō, auferō Wiktionary
verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about destroy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of.
The fire destroyed the house
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Destroy completely; damage irreparably.
You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!
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Defeat soundly and humiliatingly.
The home team demolished the visitors
Origin
From Middle English destroyen, from Old French destruire, Vulgar Latin *destrugō, from Classical Latin dēstruō, from dē- (“un-, de-”) + struō (“to build”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)