Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Completely ruined or demolished: Refers to something that has been damaged to the point of being useless or non-existent, often through a violent or forceful action.
   • Made non-functional or ineffective: Describes something whose essential nature, structure, or function has been severely compromised or ended.
   • Morally or emotionally devastated: Describes a state of being utterly broken down in spirit, morale, or mental faculties.

Usage and Examples

• Describing physical destruction:
  • The hurricane destroyed the coastal village, leaving nothing but rubble.
  • The fire destroyed the old library and all its historical documents.
• Describing functional or structural ruin:
  • The scandal destroyed his reputation in the industry.
  • The virus destroyed the computer's operating system.
• Describing moral or mental devastation:
  • After the betrayal, she felt completely destroyed.
  • The disease destroyed his memory and cognitive abilities.

Advanced Usage

• "to be destroyed": This is the most common construction, indicating a state resulting from the action of destroying.
  • The evidence was deliberately destroyed.
• "utterly/completely/totally destroyed": These adverbs are frequently used to emphasize the absolute nature of the destruction.
  • The town was utterly destroyed by the earthquake.

Variants and Related Words

• Destroy (verb): To cause destruction.
  • The army moved in to destroy the enemy base.
• Destroyer (noun): One who or that which destroys.
  • The battleship was escorted by a destroyer. (A type of warship)
  • Greed is a great destroyer of happiness.
• Destructible (adjective): Capable of being destroyed.
  • The documents were kept in a destructible safe for emergencies.
• Indestructible (adjective): Incapable of being destroyed.
  • They claimed the material was virtually indestructible.

Synonyms

• Demolished: Pulled or knocked down (typically a building).
• Ruined: Brought to a state of ruin.
• Devastated: Laid waste; ravaged.
• Shattered: Broken violently into pieces; utterly defeated or destroyed.
• Annihilated: Completely destroyed or obliterated.

Antonyms

• Intact: Not damaged or impaired in any way.
• Preserved: Maintained in its original or existing state.
• Constructed: Built or formed.
• Restored: Brought back to an original or functional state.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Destroyed beyond repair": Damaged so severely that it cannot be fixed.
  • The classic car was destroyed beyond repair in the crash.
• "A destroyed look": An expression or appearance showing complete emotional devastation.
  • He had a destroyed look on his face after hearing the news.

Adjective

1. destroyed physically or morally
2. spoiled or ruined or demolished
   • war left many cities destroyed
   • Alzheimer's is responsible for her destroyed mind