B1 verb
destroy
/dɪˈstrɔɪ/
- Meaning
- to damage something so badly it cannot be repaired
- Example
- "The fire destroyed the whole building."
- Similar & related words
- demolishruinwreckdestructiondestructive
- How to use it
- As a verb, "destroy" carries the action of the sentence. Practice it in three forms — a fact about yourself, a question, and a negative — for example, turn the example sentence above into your own situation.
- Common mistake
- 'Destroy' is stronger than 'damage' — damaged things can be repaired, destroyed things cannot. Don't weaken it by using it for minor harm.