destroyer
noun
de·stroy·er di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r 
dē-
1
: one that destroys
2
: a small fast warship used especially to support larger vessels and usually armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles
Example Sentences
The pamphlet describes alcohol as a destroyer of families.
Recent Examples on the Web The ship bearing his name, a John C. Butler-class destroyer (a type of escort ship), was commissioned in 1944 and was sunk by Japanese forces during the Battle of Samar later that year. 
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2022 Taffy 3 consisted of six lightly armed escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts—including Samuel B. Roberts. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 The Navy destroyer, commissioned in 1943, began listing to its starboard side Thursday. Fox News, 16 Apr. 2022 The wreck of the first US Navy destroyer lost to enemy action has been found off the coast of southwest England, 105 years after it was sunk by a German submarine. Jenny Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 The hundreds who gathered also honored some of Michigan’s few remaining veterans of World War II, including 95-year-old Art Fishman, of Oak Park, a Navy fireman who served in the Pacific as just a teenager on the destroyer USS Robinson. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2022 The remains of a U.S. Navy destroyer that sank in a World War II battle against Japan have been found in what is believed to be the deepest wreck ever discovered. Molpasorn Shoowong, NBC News, 27 June 2022 One of them was on the staff of the battle group commander, the other one was the leader of the destroyer squadron. San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2022 Today, the largest Chinese cutters are able to shoulder aside anything short of an Arleigh Burke destroyer. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 7 May 2022 See More
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2022 Taffy 3 consisted of six lightly armed escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts—including Samuel B. Roberts. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 The Navy destroyer, commissioned in 1943, began listing to its starboard side Thursday. Fox News, 16 Apr. 2022 The wreck of the first US Navy destroyer lost to enemy action has been found off the coast of southwest England, 105 years after it was sunk by a German submarine. Jenny Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 The hundreds who gathered also honored some of Michigan’s few remaining veterans of World War II, including 95-year-old Art Fishman, of Oak Park, a Navy fireman who served in the Pacific as just a teenager on the destroyer USS Robinson. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2022 The remains of a U.S. Navy destroyer that sank in a World War II battle against Japan have been found in what is believed to be the deepest wreck ever discovered. Molpasorn Shoowong, NBC News, 27 June 2022 One of them was on the staff of the battle group commander, the other one was the leader of the destroyer squadron. San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2022 Today, the largest Chinese cutters are able to shoulder aside anything short of an Arleigh Burke destroyer. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 7 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing destroyer
Kids Definition
destroyer
noun
de·stroy·er di-ˈstrȯi-ər
1
: someone or something that ruins or ends something
2
: a small fast warship armed with guns, torpedoes, and sometimes missiles
destroyer
noun
1
as in demolisher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- demolisher
- wrecker
- saboteur
- waster
- ruiner
- desecrator
- despoiler
- ravager
- desecrater
- defacer
- vandal
- graffitist
- tagger
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- protector
- preserver
- saver
- conservator
- conserver
- preservationist
2
as in merchantman
Synonyms & Similar Words
- merchantman
- warship
- freighter
- cruiser
- tanker
- collier
- corvette
- cutter
- flagship
- steamship
- trader
- superliner
- ship
- aircraft carrier
- steamer
- barge
- merchant ship
- lightship
- liner
- argosy
- containership
- tramp
- motor ship
- watercraft
- ferryboat
- transport
- coaster
- ironclad
- supertanker
- icebreaker
- man-of-war
- man-o'-war
- boat
- vessel
- keel
- schooner
- packet
- yacht
- brig
- brigantine
- caravel
- sailboat
- clipper
- barque
- tall ship
- bark
- square-rigger
- windjammer
- ketch
- junk
- xebec
3
as in devourer
Synonyms & Similar Words
- devourer
- leech
- sponge
- predator
- exploiter
- user
- sponger
- vulture
- vampire
- kite
- wolf
- shark
- buzzard
- harpy
- bloodsucker
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prey