destroy

/dɪˈstrɔɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstrȯi dē-/ (ame, mw)

destroy — verb

  • destroypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • destroyshe / she / it
  • destroyedpast simple
  • destroying-ing form

1. to damage a thing, place, or idea so completely that it is left ruined and unusa

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to damage a thing, place, or idea so completely that it is left ruined and unusable, with no possibility of being repaired, saved, or recovered

例句

The earthquake destroyed hundreds of buildings in the city's old quarter.

passive: be destroyed by [natural force]

Yan accidentally destroyed her laptop when coffee spilled over the keyboard.

同義詞
  • ruin

    Focuses on loss of value or function; often used for plans, clothes, or abstract things rather than structures

  • demolish

    Specifically means to tear down a building or structure, often deliberately

  • wreck

    Implies sudden, violent damage; common with vehicles (wreck a car)

  • devastate

    Carries emotional weight; can describe widespread destruction or emotional impact

反義詞
  • build

    To construct or create, the opposite of destroying

  • repair

    To fix something that is damaged, rather than ruining it completely

  • preserve

    To keep something in its existing state and prevent damage

文法句型

destroy + noun phrase

be destroyed by + agent

用法筆記

Common in the passive voice (be destroyed by something). Also used figuratively with abstract objects such as reputation, hope, or confidence — a pattern not shared by physical-damage synonyms like demolish or knock down.

常見錯誤

❌The storm damaged my car so badly I could not drive it.
✅The storm destroyed my car so badly I could not drive it.
💡'damage' means partial harm; 'destroy' means complete ruin beyond use.
❌She destroyed the cake by cutting it into pieces.
✅She cut the cake into pieces.
💡'destroy' is too strong for everyday actions that do not involve total ruin.
❌The virus destroyed his computer files but some could be recovered.
✅The virus damaged his computer files, but some could be recovered.
💡If anything can be recovered or repaired, use 'damage', not 'destroy'.

2. to kill a sick, injured, or dangerous animal in a controlled way, usually to sto

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to kill a sick, injured, or dangerous animal in a controlled way, usually to stop it from suffering or to protect people and other animals

例句

The vet destroyed the injured horse to end its suffering.

collocation: destroy + injured / sick animal

The farmer had to destroy three pigs after the disease was found on his farm.

同義詞
  • put down

    Informal and much more common in everyday conversation; softer tone

  • euthanize

    Technical term used mainly in veterinary medicine; implies a painless death to end suffering

  • put to sleep

    Euphemistic; often used with pets to soften the emotional impact

反義詞
  • save

    To rescue or treat an animal instead of killing it

  • nurse back to health

    To care for an animal until it recovers from illness or injury

文法句型

destroy + animal noun phrase

用法筆記

Object must be an animal, never a person. This sense is formal and typical in veterinary or official contexts; in everyday speech, alternatives such as put down or put to sleep are more common.

常見錯誤

❌The vet destroyed the cat.' (without context)
✅The vet destroyed the dying cat to end its pain.
💡Without specifying illness, injury, or danger, this use sounds confusing or excessively harsh.
❌The soldier destroyed the enemy.
✅The soldier killed the enemy.
💡'destroy' with human beings is not used in modern English and sounds dehumanising.

3. to beat an opponent or competitor very easily and by a large margin in a sport,

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to beat an opponent or competitor very easily and by a large margin in a sport, game, or business situation

例句

The home team destroyed the visitors 5–0 in the cup final.

sports: destroy + opponent + score

Hamza destroyed the defending champion in three straight sets last night.

同義詞
  • crush

    Similarly informal and emphatic; common in both sports and business

  • thrash

    Informal, especially British English; suggests a humiliating defeat

  • trounce

    Slightly more formal than destroy or crush; implies a decisive victory

反義詞
  • lose to

    The simple opposite — to be defeated by someone

  • be beaten by

    Passive construction indicating the opposite outcome

文法句型

destroy + opponent / competitor

用法筆記

Informal. Usually takes an opponent or competitor as object. Common in sports journalism and competitive business language. Cannot be used literally — it is an emphatic substitute for beat or defeat.

常見錯誤

❌Our team destroyed the match 3–1.
✅Our team destroyed the other team 3
💡1.' — 'destroy' takes the opponent as its object, not the game or match.
❌I destroyed my exam and got a top score.
✅I did very well on my exam and got a top score.
💡'destroy' does not mean 'do extremely well at something' in standard English.