v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Destroyed p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying. ] [ OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, fr. L. destruere, destructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure. ] 1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish. [ 1913 Webster ]
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ex. xxxiv. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume. [ 1913 Webster ]
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. Jer. xii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill. [ 1913 Webster ]
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,
By some false guile pervert. Milton.
Syn. -- To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish. [ 1913 Webster ]