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
Examples of destroyer in a Sentence
The pamphlet describes alcohol as a destroyer of families.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Navy's Zumwalt‑class destroyers — the largest surface combatants currently at 15,000 tons — were reduced from 32 to three ships due to spiraling costs.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
Since then, North Korea has conducted frequent tests and recently unveiled a new naval destroyer that Kim said would expand the reach and preemptive strike options of the country’s nuclear forces.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
But in this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanity’s destroyer, not its savior.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
The biggest surface combatants in the US Navy fleet now are the Zumwalt destroyers, which displace 15,000 tons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
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Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
Since then, North Korea has conducted frequent tests and recently unveiled a new naval destroyer that Kim said would expand the reach and preemptive strike options of the country’s nuclear forces.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
But in this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanity’s destroyer, not its savior.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2025
The biggest surface combatants in the US Navy fleet now are the Zumwalt destroyers, which displace 15,000 tons.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Cite this Entry
“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroyer. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
destroyer
noun
de·stroy·er
di-ˈstrȯi(-ə)r
1
: one that destroys
2
: a small fast warship armed with guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and often guided missiles
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