English Meaning & Definitions
Ruined, demolished, or having been put an end to so that it no longer exists or functions.
- “The ancient temple was completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake.”
- “He felt emotionally destroyed after hearing the tragic news.”
Past tense and past participle of 'destroy'; to put an end to the existence of something by damaging or attacking it.
- “The fire destroyed hundreds of acres of forest last summer.”
- “She destroyed all the letters to keep her privacy.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “destroyed”.
Late Middle English: from Old French destruire, from Latin destruere, from de- (down, away) + struere (to build, pile up). Thus, the literal historical sense is 'to un-build' or take apart what was constructed.
Think of 'de-' (undo) + 'struct' (build) — meaning to undo a structure completely.
Frequently Asked Questions About “destroyed”
1. What is the meaning of “destroyed” in English?
In English, destroyed (adjective) is defined as: “Ruined, demolished, or having been put an end to so that it no longer exists or functions.”.
2. How do you use “destroyed” in a sentence?
“The ancient temple was completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake.”
3. What are English synonyms of “destroyed”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “destroyed”?
Late Middle English: from Old French destruire, from Latin destruere, from de- (down, away) + struere (to build, pile up). Thus, the literal historical sense is 'to un-build' or take apart what was constructed.
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