destroyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destroyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been completely ruined or eliminated. Example: "The storm destroyed the old barn, leaving nothing but debris behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Without the full protection of the Clean Water Act, critical wetland habitats across the country will be degraded or destroyed, undermining the recovery of dozens of endangered species," Hartl wrote in a statement.

The Guardian

Nine months later, though, the hopes of the club destined to become the greatest England had ever seen were destroyed in the slush on the runaway of Munich's old airport.

The Guardian - Sport

In another neighbourhood youths destroyed a police vehicle and officers fired tear gas to try to disperse protesters.

The Guardian

http://t.co/LlbcPLkkmn it's Fahrenheit 451, but with computers Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 7.50pm BST19:50 Here's some video of Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, talking about why and how the newspaper destroyed computer hard drives containing copies of some of the secret files leaked by Edward Snowden.

The Guardian

Rusbridger says the Guardian itself destroyed a copy in London.

The Guardian

That is, so long as the authorities haven't consolidated, rationalised and – well, take your pick from the beancounters' lexicon – I'll use destroyed one of the English summer's greatest joys.

The Guardian - Sport

The fear of being abandoned by one's parents (Hansel and Gretel), or of being destroyed by (or destroying) a parent or sibling – always disguised as, say, a "wicked stepsister" or "stepmother" – recurs again and again, allowing children to access their darker fantasies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Norwich piled more pressure on the Millwall manager Ian Holloway, who said the opening goal had destroyed his side's morale.

The Guardian - Sport

Charcoal burning has led to serious environmental problems in this region of north-east Uganda, as the majority of vegetation has been destroyed.

The Guardian

Enthusiastic Wii Sports usage has seen televisions destroyed by flying remotes and a variety of injuries, including fractured limbs, dislocated knee caps, torn knee ligaments and facial injuries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Since the 2004 peak of 27,000 sq km of forest destroyed, matters have improved with regard to deforestation," he says, when I call him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "destroyed", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym for nuance. For example, "demolished" may be better for buildings, while "ruined" might suit relationships or plans.

Common error

Avoid using "destroyed" when a milder term better conveys the emotional impact. Words like "disappointed", "saddened", or "discouraged" can be more effective for conveying emotional responses than "destroyed".

Linguistic Context

The word "destroyed" primarily functions as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "destroy". It indicates that something has been ruined or brought to an end. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "destroyed" is a very common and grammatically correct verb form used to describe something that has been ruined or eliminated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle contexts. While its register is generally neutral, the surrounding context can influence its formality. When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose synonyms like "demolished" or "ruined" when appropriate. Avoid overuse in emotional contexts to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demolished

Implies a complete tearing down or wrecking of something, often a structure.

ruined

Suggests that something has been spoiled or damaged irreparably.

obliterated

Indicates complete annihilation or erasure.

devastated

Conveys a sense of overwhelming destruction and emotional impact.

annihilated

Implies total destruction, often used in the context of living things or abstract concepts.

razed

Specifically refers to leveling something to the ground.

wrecked

Suggests severe damage or ruin, often in the context of vehicles or objects.

eradicated

Implies complete removal or elimination, often of something undesirable.

consumed

Suggests destruction by fire or other destructive processes.

nullified

Refers to something being rendered void or without effect, often in a legal or abstract context.

FAQs

How is "destroyed" typically used in a sentence?

The word "destroyed" is often used as the past tense of the verb "destroy", indicating that something has been ruined or completely eliminated. For example, "The fire "destroyed" the building".

What are some alternatives to using "destroyed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "demolished", "ruined", or "obliterated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was destroyed" or "has been destroyed"?

Both "was destroyed" and "has been destroyed" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was destroyed" indicates a completed action in the past, while "has been destroyed" implies that the action has relevance to the present.

Which is more appropriate: "completely destroyed" or simply "destroyed"?

"Completely destroyed" emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction, but "destroyed" already implies a high degree of damage. Adding "completely" can sometimes be redundant, so choose the phrasing that best fits the desired level of emphasis.