verb · B1 · Often · both

destroy

разрушать

Meaning of destroy

ruin completely

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B1Often

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Pronunciation
EN-UK/tuː dɪˈstrɔɪ/
EN-US/tə dɪˈstrɔɪ/
destroy
destroy - разрушать
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destroy with Russian translation

destroy usage examples

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Цунами может разрушить маленькую деревню.

The tsunami could destroy the small village.

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Сильный ветер способен разрушить палатки на кемпинге.

Strong winds can destroy tents in the campsite.

Learn by topic

destroy belongs to the topic "Natural Phenomena". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

destroyразрушать
seasons of the yearвремена года
springвесна
winterзима
longпродолжительный
endзаканчиваться
temperatureтемпература

destroy synonyms

Related words worth learning together

demolish
Specifically used for intentionally tearing down buildings or structures; more formal/technical.
annihilate
Suggests total and utter destruction, sometimes used in scientific/military contexts or hyperbole.
obliterate
Means to erase or remove all traces; often stronger and more absolute than 'destroy'.
raze
Specifically means to level to the ground; used for complete destruction of structures or settlements.
wipe out
Phrasal and often colloquial; means to eliminate completely, used for populations, businesses, records, etc.
Learn 5 related words for free
D
🇬🇧en
demolish

Specifically used for intentionally tearing down buildings or structures; more formal/technical.

B2Often

They demolished the old factory last year.

A
🇬🇧en
annihilate

Suggests total and utter destruction, sometimes used in scientific/military contexts or hyperbole.

C1Rarely

The virus threatened to annihilate the native species.

O
🇬🇧en
obliterate

Means to erase or remove all traces; often stronger and more absolute than 'destroy'.

C1Rarely

The bomb obliterated the town center.

R
🇬🇧en
raze

Specifically means to level to the ground; used for complete destruction of structures or settlements.

C1Rarely

They razed the old castle to make way for a highway.

W
🇬🇧en
wipe out

Phrasal and often colloquial; means to eliminate completely, used for populations, businesses, records, etc.

B2Often

The disease wiped out the village's population.

🇬🇧en

Specifically to make level with the ground (to flatten); more specialized and often used about buildings/areas.

C1Rarely

The earthquake leveled several buildings.

🇬🇧en

Implies harm or impairment rather than complete destruction; repair may be possible.

B1Very Often

The hail damaged the car's roof.

🇬🇧en

Usually physical and often partial (an object stops working or is split); less often used for total annihilation.

B1Very Often

The kids broke the window.

W
🇬🇧en
wreck

Often used for vehicles/structures (severely damaged) or figuratively for ruining plans/lives; not always total destruction.

B2Often

The storm wrecked the pier.

What’s the difference

Related words and lists for destroy

Questions about this word

destroy meaning: what does it mean?

ruin completely

destroy pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

destroy is pronounced as /tuː dɪˈstrɔɪ/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

destroy definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

The tsunami could destroy the small village. Translation: Цунами может разрушить маленькую деревню.

Is destroy part of Natural Phenomena vocabulary?

Yes, destroy (разрушать) can be learned in the Natural Phenomena topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is destroy part of Weather and Seasons vocabulary?

Yes, destroy (разрушать) can be learned in the Weather and Seasons topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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