De·stroy v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.]
 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.
    But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.   --Ex. xxxiv. 13.
 2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.
    I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.   --Jer. xii. 17.
 3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill.
 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.
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