Dictionary entry details
• DESTROY (verb)
Meaning:
Do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
destroy; destruct
Context example:
The fire destroyed the house
Hypernyms (to "destroy" is one way to...):
undo; unmake (deprive of certain characteristics)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "destroy"):
dilapidate (bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin by neglect or misuse)
eradicate; exterminate; extirpate; root out; uproot (destroy completely, as if down to the roots)
dismantle; level; pull down; rase; raze; take down; tear down (tear down so as to make flat with the ground)
break apart; break up; disassemble; dismantle; take apart (take apart into its constituent pieces)
demolish; pulverise; pulverize (destroy completely)
interdict (destroy by firepower, such as an enemy's line of communication)
sweep away; wipe out (eliminate completely and without a trace)
fracture (interrupt, break, or destroy)
end (put an end to)
destruct (destroy (one's own missile or rocket))
self-destroy; self-destruct (do away with oneself or itself)
do away with; eliminate; get rid of (terminate or take out)
kill (destroy a vitally essential quality of or in)
demyelinate (destroy the myelin sheath of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Destroy completely; damage irreparably
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
ruin; destroy
Context examples:
You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank! / The tears ruined her make-up
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "destroy"):
despoil; plunder; rape; spoil; violate (destroy and strip of its possession)
explode (destroy by exploding)
consume (destroy completely)
shipwreck (destroy a ship)
bust up; wrack; wreck (smash or break forcefully)
kick down; kick in (open violently)
wash out (wear or destroy by the force of water)
devour (destroy completely)
get (overcome or destroy)
subvert (destroy completely)
burn; burn down; fire (destroy by fire)
desolate; devastate; lay waste to; ravage; scourge; waste (devastate or ravage)
harry; ravage (make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), as in wartimes)
break (find a flaw in)
break; bust (ruin completely)
vandalise; vandalize (destroy wantonly, as through acts of vandalism)
do a job on (destroy completely or make ugly or useless)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Defeat soundly
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
demolish; destroy
Context example:
The home team demolished the visitors
Hypernyms (to "destroy" is one way to...):
defeat; get the better of; overcome (win a victory over)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "destroy"):
smash (overthrow or destroy (something considered evil or harmful))
swallow (engulf and destroy)
cut to ribbons (defeat totally)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
The fighter managed to destroy his opponent
Meaning:
Put to death
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
The customs agents destroyed the dog that was found to be rabid
Hypernyms (to "destroy" is one way to...):
kill (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
