destroy
♦♦ de|stroy /dɪstr'ɔɪ/ (destroys destroying destroyed)
1 [VERB] V n
To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.
That's a sure recipe for destroying the economy and creating chaos...
2 [VERB] V n
To destroy someone means to ruin their life or to make their situation impossible to bear.
If I was younger or more naive, the criticism would have destroyed me.
3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed
If an animal is destroyed, it is killed, either because it is ill or because it is dangerous.
Lindsay was unhurt but the horse had to be destroyed.
= put down
4
see also soul-destroying
1 [VERB] V n
To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.
That's a sure recipe for destroying the economy and creating chaos...
2 [VERB] V n
To destroy someone means to ruin their life or to make their situation impossible to bear.
If I was younger or more naive, the criticism would have destroyed me.
3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed
If an animal is destroyed, it is killed, either because it is ill or because it is dangerous.
Lindsay was unhurt but the horse had to be destroyed.
= put down
4
see also soul-destroying