destroy
Pronunciation: [dɪˈstrɔɪ]
Word
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?
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