Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate.
2.
to put an end to; extinguish.
3.
to kill; slay.
4.
to render ineffective or useless; nullify; neutralize; invalidate.
5.
to defeat completely.
verb (used without object)
6.
to engage in destruction.
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Destroying
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English destroyen < Old French destruire < Vulgar Latin *dēstrūgere, for Latin dēstruere (dē- de- + struere to pick up, build)
1175–1225; Middle English destroyen < Old French destruire < Vulgar Latin *dēstrūgere, for Latin dēstruere (dē- de- + struere to pick up, build)
Related forms
de·stroy·a·ble, adjective
half-de·stroyed, adjective
pre·de·stroy, verb (used with object)
self-de·stroyed, adjective
self-de·stroy·ing, adjective
EXPANDCan be confused: decimal, decimate, destroy (see usage note at decimate; see synonym note at the current entry).
Synonyms
1. smash, level, waste, ravage, devastate. Destroy, demolish, raze imply reducing a thing to uselessness. To destroy is to reduce something to nothingness or to take away its powers and functions so that restoration is impossible: Fire destroys a building. Disease destroys tissues. To demolish is to destroy something organized or structured: to demolish a machine. To raze is to level down to the ground: to raze a fortress. 2. extirpate, annihilate, uproot.
1. smash, level, waste, ravage, devastate. Destroy, demolish, raze imply reducing a thing to uselessness. To destroy is to reduce something to nothingness or to take away its powers and functions so that restoration is impossible: Fire destroys a building. Disease destroys tissues. To demolish is to destroy something organized or structured: to demolish a machine. To raze is to level down to the ground: to raze a fortress. 2. extirpate, annihilate, uproot.
Antonyms
1, 2. create.
1, 2. create.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To destroying
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
destroy
earlly 13c., from O.Fr. destruire, from V.L. *destrugerie (infl. by destructos), from L. destruere "tear down, demolish," lit. "un-build," from de- "un-, down" + struere "to pile, build" (see structure).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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