1. to damage something so badly that it cannot be used or repaired
毀壞，破壞（某物使其無法使用或修復）
The earthquake destroyed many buildings in the city.
地震摧毀了城市裡的許多建築物。
The fire completely destroyed the old factory.
大火徹底燒毀了那間舊工廠。
Destroy Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
destroy
verb
快速理解
What does "Destroy" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Destroy"?
destroy 意指徹底地損壞、毀滅或終結某事物。
- 1
徹底損壞
EN: to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or works
翻譯: 徹底損壞某物，使其不復存在或無法運作。
- 2
毀滅（抽象事物）
EN: to ruin something abstract, such as a plan, hope, or reputation
翻譯: 毀掉抽象的事物，例如計畫、希望或名譽。
- 3
殺死（動物）
EN: to kill an animal, especially because it is sick, dangerous, or unwanted
翻譯: 殺死動物，通常是因為牠生病、具危險性或不受歡迎。
- 4
徹底擊敗
EN: to defeat someone completely in a competition or conflict
翻譯: 在比賽或衝突中徹底擊敗某人。
小提醒：注意：destroy 通常指非常嚴重、無法挽回的破壞，程度比 damage 或 break 強烈得多。
發音（How to Pronounce "Destroy" in English）
How to pronounce "Destroy" in English?"Destroy" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Destroy" from YouTube Videos
How to Get and Test Startup Ideas - Michael Seibel
Y Combinator
“there's a common misconception that your idea has to be great in order start a company, and the first thing I want to do is destroy that misconception.”
(1 out of 30)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Destroy"?How does "Destroy" change by context?
2. to completely defeat someone or something
徹底擊敗，摧毀（某人或某事物）
Our team destroyed the competition and won the championship.
我們的隊伍徹底擊敗了競爭對手，贏得了冠軍。
The new evidence destroyed the prosecutor's case.
新證據徹底摧毀了檢方的論點。
3. to cause someone to feel extremely upset or emotionally devastated
使（某人）極度沮喪，使心碎
The bad news destroyed him.
這個壞消息讓他崩潰了。
Losing her job destroyed her confidence.
失去工作摧毀了她的自信心。
4. to kill an animal, especially because it is sick, dangerous, or unwanted
（尤指因生病、危險或不需要而）殺死，銷毀（動物）
The sick dog had to be destroyed.
那隻生病的狗不得不被安樂死。
The authorities destroyed the infected livestock to prevent the spread of disease.
當局銷毀了受感染的牲畜以防止疾病傳播。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Destroy"?How to make natural sentences with "Destroy"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| destroy + noun | 摧毀、毀壞（某物） | The fire destroyed the entire building. (大火摧毀了整棟建築。) |
| destroy + pronoun | 摧毀、毀壞（它/它們） | The virus infected the system and destroyed it. (病毒感染了系統並將其摧毀。) |
| be destroyed | 被摧毀、遭到破壞 | Many homes were destroyed in the earthquake. (許多房屋在地震中被摧毀。) |
| destroy + noun + with + noun | 用（某物）摧毀（某物） | The army destroyed the bridge with explosives. (軍隊用炸藥摧毀了橋樑。) |
| destroy + one's own + noun | 毀掉自己的（某物，如機會、名譽） | His reckless behavior destroyed his own reputation. (他魯莽的行為毀掉了自己的名譽。) |
| completely/totally destroy + noun | 徹底摧毀（某物） | The bombing totally destroyed the city center. (轟炸徹底摧毀了市中心。) |
用法說明
How is "Destroy" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Destroy"?
destroy doing vs destroy to do
- destroy doing 這種結構在英語中極其罕見且不自然，因為 "destroy" 的語意是徹底毀壞一個已存在的實體或狀態，通常不接續一個動作的進行式（-ing 形式）作為受詞。
- destroy to do 同樣不自然。"destroy" 後接不定詞（to + V）通常不表示目的（為了做某事而破壞），這會造成語意矛盾。
- 若要表達「破壞某物以達成某個目的」，更自然的說法是使用 in order to 或 so that 等結構來明確表示目的。
- destroy 最常見的用法是直接接名詞受詞（destroy something），或用於被動語態（be destroyed）。 EN: The storm destroyed the old barn. 翻譯: 暴風雨摧毀了那座舊穀倉。
EN:They destroyed the bridge in order to stop the enemy's advance.
翻譯:他們摧毀了橋樑，以阻止敵軍推進。
EN:The evidence was destroyed so that the truth would never be known.
翻譯:證據被銷毀了，以使真相永不見天日。
總結建議
使用 "destroy" 時，應直接接名詞受詞或使用被動語態，避免使用 "destroy doing" 或 "destroy to do" 這類不自然的結構來表達目的。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Destroy" and similar words?How to choose "Destroy" vs alternatives?
destroy vs damage
destroy 指完全毀壞，無法修復；damage 指造成損害，但通常可以修復。
destroy vs ruin
destroy 強調物理上的徹底毀滅；ruin 更常指破壞價值、狀態或計畫，不一定完全摧毀實體。
destroy vs demolish
destroy 是通用詞，指各種形式的毀滅；demolish 特指故意拆毀建築物或結構。
destroy vs annihilate
destroy 指毀壞物體或事物；annihilate 語氣更強，指徹底消滅、殲滅，常用於軍事或比喻徹底擊敗。
口語用法
How is "Destroy" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Destroy"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或轉述他人強烈的負面意見時，常用 "destroy" 來誇張地表示徹底否定或批評。 EN: He said the new policy would completely destroy the local economy. 翻譯: 他說新政策會徹底摧毀本地經濟。
EN:My coach told me I destroyed my chances with that mistake.
翻譯:我的教練告訴我，那個失誤毀了我的機會。
語氣強調
在日常對話裡，常用 "destroy" 來誇張地強調某事物被嚴重損壞、擊敗或弄糟，不一定指物理上的毀滅。 EN: I'm so tired, that workout totally destroyed me. 翻譯: 我好累，那個訓練完全把我累垮了。
EN:This spicy food is going to destroy my stomach.
翻譯:這辣食會搞壞我的胃。
停頓填充
在猶豫或思考時，有時會用 "I'm not trying to destroy..." 或 "It's not to destroy..." 作為緩衝，以軟化隨後要提出的批評或負面觀點。 EN: Look, I'm not trying to destroy your idea, but have we considered the cost? 翻譯: 聽著，我不是要否定你的點子，但我們考慮過成本嗎？
EN:It's not to destroy the fun, but we really should start heading back.
翻譯:不是要掃興，但我們真的該開始往回走了。
正式寫作注意：在學術、商業或正式報告中，應避免上述口語化的誇張用法。建議使用更精確、中性的詞語，如 "damage", "undermine", "devastate", 或 "eliminate"，並提供具體證據，而非依賴情緒性表述。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Destroy"?What fixed phrases with "Destroy" should I remember?
destroy completely
destroy + adverb
徹底摧毀
destroy evidence
destroy + noun
銷毀證據
destroy someone's reputation
destroy + possessive noun
毀掉某人的名譽
destroy one's chances
destroy + possessive + noun
毀掉某人的機會
destroy the ecosystem
destroy + the + noun
破壞生態系統
destroy in seconds
destroy + in + time period
在幾秒內摧毀
destroy from within
destroy + from + prepositional phrase
從內部摧毀
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Destroy"?Which "Destroy" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The fire destroyed down the building.
✓The fire destroyed the building.
The verb 'destroy' already means to damage something so severely that it no longer exists or functions. Adding 'down' is redundant and incorrect.
×He was very angry and destroyed his phone.
✓He was very angry and smashed/broke his phone.
While 'destroy' can be used, it is often too strong or formal for common, impulsive actions. Verbs like 'smashed', 'broke', or 'shattered' are more natural for describing personal, physical anger.
×The bad news destroyed my mood.
✓The bad news ruined/spoiled my mood.
'Destroy' is typically used for physical objects or abstract concepts like 'hope', 'dream', or 'reputation'. For temporary states like 'mood', 'appetite', or 'fun', 'ruin' or 'spoil' are more idiomatic.
×I destroyed my homework by mistake.
✓I accidentally ripped/tore up my homework. / I ruined my homework.
Using 'destroy' for minor, accidental damage to everyday items sounds exaggerated and unnatural. More specific verbs like 'rip', 'tear', 'spill on', or the milder 'ruin' are better choices.
×The software can destroy viruses.
✓The software can remove/delete/eliminate viruses.
In computing contexts, 'destroy' is not the standard term. We use 'remove', 'delete', 'eliminate', or 'quarantine' for dealing with computer viruses or files.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Destroy"?What are tense/participle forms of "Destroy"?
destroys(3rd_singular)destroying(present_participle)destroyed(past)destroyed(past_participle)