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destroy

Pronunciation: [dɪˈstrɔɪ]

Word

Learn how to use destroy in a sentence: 9 audio examples across 3 meanings.

Context: “physical damage”

(verb) to completely ruin or break something, so it can't be used anymore. It's like when you break a toy into pieces, and it can't be fixed.

Example

The storm destroyed many houses in the town.

Example

She didn’t destroy her old drawing; she just put it away safely.

Example

What happens when something is destroyed by fire?

Context: “emotional damage”

(verb) to cause someone to feel very bad or heartbroken. This can happen when someone hurt your feelings really badly.

Example

His rejection didn’t destroy her spirit; she bounced back stronger.

Example

The nice words from her friends didn’t destroy her sadness; she still felt upset.

Example

Can words really destroy someone’s confidence?

Context: “conceptual damage”

(verb) to make a belief, idea, or plan not work anymore. This could be like when you challenge someone's idea and they feel it isn't good anymore.

Example

The new evidence destroyed the previous theory about how dinosaurs lived.

Example

A good argument did not destroy her opinion; she still believed she was right.

Example

How can new information destroy a long-held belief?

How to pronounce destroy

Pronunciation: [dɪˈstrɔɪ]

Listen and repeat as many times as you need.

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