destruct
destruct — noun
1. the deliberate blowing up of a rocket or missile after lift-off, typically perfo
the deliberate blowing up of a rocket or missile after lift-off, typically performed during testing when the vehicle strays off course and creates a safety hazard
The safety officer pressed the destruct button when the missile headed toward a populated area.
destruct as adjective modifier: destruct button / destruct sequence
Mission control sent the destruct command seconds after the rocket started spinning out of control.
collocation: destruct command
Engineers argued the destruct was unnecessary because the booster could still correct its path.
Every experimental rocket on the test range needs a destruct mechanism before launch.
Engineers installed a destruct system on the satellite in case it failed to reach orbit.
- destruction
the general term for destroying anything; 'destruct' is much narrower and more technical
- demolition
used for buildings and structures, not rockets
- construction
the deliberate building or assembling of something
文法句型
destruct + noun (as modifier)
the destruct + of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears as a modifier before a noun (destruct button, destruct sequence, destruct system) or in technical phrases. Rarely used as a standalone countable noun.
常見錯誤
destruct — verb
- destructpresent simple I / you / we / they
- destructs3rd person singular
- destructing-ing form
- destructedpast simple
1. to destroy itself automatically — used of a machine, device, or weapon that has
to destroy itself automatically — used of a machine, device, or weapon that has been designed to break itself apart under specific conditions, such as when it is captured, tampered with, or about to malfunction dangerously
Brandon set the laptop to destruct if anyone opened the hard drive without the key.
destruct used as standalone intransitive verb (without 'self-')
The drone was programmed to self-destruct thirty seconds after losing connection with the control tower.
self-destruct — the far more common form
Caio watched the spy camera destruct as he removed the battery cover.
The manufacturer built the device to destruct harmlessly when its internal timer reached zero.
Ada checked that the experimental engine would not destruct under normal operating temperatures.
- self-destruct
the standard everyday form of this verb; 'destruct' alone is much rarer
- implode
specifically means collapsing inward, whereas 'destruct' includes any kind of planned destruction
文法句型
destruct (of machine)
self-destruct (most common)
用法筆記
Modern everyday English overwhelmingly uses 'self-destruct' (the prefixed form) instead of bare 'destruct.' The bare verb is found mainly in manuals, technical documentation, and science fiction. Distinguish from 'self-destruct' as a noun (e.g., 'the tape has a self-destruct').
常見錯誤
2. to behave in a way that makes you fail, lose opportunities, or ruin your own hap
to behave in a way that makes you fail, lose opportunities, or ruin your own happiness — used about a person whose actions repeatedly work against their own best interests
Kian tends to destruct whenever things start going well at work.
destruct used figuratively for personal failure pattern
Hassan watched his relationship self-destruct after he spread false rumours about a close friend.
self-destruct — natural form for figurative intransitive use
Joon watched his brother slowly destruct as he refused all offers of help.
Faisal knew skipping every class would make him destruct academically, but he could not change.
After losing many jobs because of his temper, Nikos realised how often he had self-destructed.
- self-destruct
everyday form — both 'destruct' and 'self-destruct' work in this sense, but 'self-destruct' is far more common
- sabotage oneself
more deliberate than 'self-destruct'; implies conscious intent
- undermine oneself
suggests gradual erosion rather than a sudden collapse
- succeed
achieve one's goals through steady effort
文法句型
destruct (of a person)
self-destruct (more common)
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with 'self-' as 'self-destruct.' It describes a repeated pattern, not a single mistake. The subject is usually a person, though it can apply to a relationship, career, or project.
常見錯誤
3. to tear down or eliminate something completely, leaving nothing behind — used as
to tear down or eliminate something completely, leaving nothing behind — used as a less common alternative to 'destroy', especially in technical, military, or abstract contexts
The salvage crew destructed the cargo hold before toxic chemicals could leak into the sea.
transitive use: destruct + object
Technicians destructed the defective prototype before competitors could reverse-engineer it.
transitive use: destructed + concrete object (prototype)
The court ordered the company to destruct all copies of the illegally copied software.
Beatriz used a hammer to destruct the old prototype board to prevent reverse-engineering.
Rachid warned that the virus could destruct the entire database within minutes.
- destroy
the standard and far more common word; 'destruct' is a rare back-formation
- dismantle
taking apart piece by piece, not necessarily destroying
- annihilate
stronger, implying total obliteration
文法句型
destruct + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is extremely rare in everyday English. The verb 'destroy' is preferred in almost all contexts. 'Destruct' as a transitive verb is most often encountered in computing (to destruct an object or file), in military writing, or where the writer wants technical-sounding language.