destroy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destroy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of causing something to cease to exist or to be severely damaged. Example: "The storm threatened to destroy the old barn that had stood for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must show them that there are other ways to express disagreement, that their right to do so is dependent on the very freedoms that extremists seek to destroy.

The Guardian

But because we had other copies I was happy to destroy a copy in London".

The New York Times

The former European trade commissioner said: "For far too long, those who want to destroy Britain's interests and influence in Europe have been allowed to get away with murder with the lies and false propaganda they have poured out about the European Union and what it represents for our country.

The Guardian

We have to destroy 'Obamacare' by repealing it".

The Guardian

So they must destroy him, just as they tried destroying Clarence Thomas".

The New York Times

It made an arthouse star of Soderbergh and a heavyweight of his backer, Harvey Weinstein, whose studio, Miramax, would come to define quality American cinema over much of the next decade and, perhaps, help to destroy it too (read Indiewire's excellent piece on sex, lies for more on its legacy).

The Guardian - Film

The G8 meeting I chaired in Northern Ireland also forged a ground-breaking initiative to stop the true owners of companies hiding behind a veil of secrecy, tackling the cancer of corruption that does so much to destroy countries and increase the risk to our own security.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

In a video, Lt Jack Cambria, hostage negotiator, advises officers not to destroy their careers "for a moment of indiscretion".

The Guardian

He said he was willing to destroy a copy of the Snowden material at the Guardian's office in London because other copies were available abroad.

The Guardian

To do so would be to destroy everything he has done and believed in for the whole of his career.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "destroy", consider the scale and impact of the destruction. Choose synonyms like "annihilate" or "obliterate" for greater emphasis, or "ruin" for a less total effect.

Common error

Avoid using "destroy" too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced terms like "invalidate", "nullify", or "negate" to convey specific types of destruction or negation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "destroy" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object to cause significant damage or termination. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

TV & Radio

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "destroy" is a versatile verb used to convey the act of causing something to be irreparably damaged or brought to an end. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, primarily in news, opinion, and political discourse. When writing, consider the intensity of the destruction and opt for synonyms like "annihilate" for complete obliteration or "ruin" for less severe damage. While "destroy" is suitable for many situations, avoid overuse in formal contexts by choosing more precise terms like "invalidate" or "nullify". Understanding these nuances ensures clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annihilate

Indicates complete obliteration or destruction, often implying a more thorough or devastating impact.

obliterate

Suggests complete removal or erasure, leaving no trace behind.

demolish

Implies the forceful breaking down or tearing apart of something, often a building or structure.

eradicate

Focuses on completely eliminating something, often a problem or disease.

wipe out

A more informal way to express complete destruction or elimination.

decimate

Refers to severely reducing or destroying a large proportion of something.

ruin

Implies causing irreparable damage or failure.

devastate

Indicates widespread destruction and emotional distress.

nullify

To render legally void or ineffective, often used in the context of agreements or laws.

negate

To cancel out or deny the effect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "destroy" in a sentence?

You can use "destroy" to describe the act of damaging something beyond repair, such as, "The fire completely destroyed the building." It can also mean to defeat someone soundly.

What words can I use instead of "destroy"?

You can use alternatives like "annihilate", "obliterate", or "demolish", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "destroy" is the same as "demolish"?

"Destroy" and "demolish" are similar, but "destroy" has a broader meaning. "Demolish" typically refers to tearing down structures, while "destroy" can apply to anything being ruined or eliminated.

What's the difference between "destroy" and "ruin"?

"Destroy" implies a more complete and often forceful end, while "ruin" suggests severe damage that may not be total but renders something unusable or greatly diminished.