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In some senses, destroy is marked as informal. Watch for register when choosing this word.
destroy
UK /dɪˈstɹɔɪ/ US /dɪˈstɹɔɪ/
verb 5
Definitions
verb
1
To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
The earthquake destroyed several apartment complexes.
Hooligans destroy unprovoked.
2
To neutralize, undo a property or condition.
Smoking destroys the natural subtlety of the palate.
3
To put down or euthanize.
Destroying a rabid dog is required by law.
4
To severely disrupt the well-being of (a person); ruin.
Her divorce destroyed her; she had a nervous breakdown and was severely depressed for more than a year.
Other girls in the foster home are eager to destroy her and get her kicked out of the place. It's a tough situation.
5
To utterly defeat; to crush.
Remember when Germany destroyed Brazil 7–1 in the World Cup?
Growing up, [Kevin] Durant told me, he was a sore loser. That all changed one day when he was 11, after he got destroyed by his father in a game of one on one in the driveway.
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