destroying

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Destroy \De*stroy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. d['e]truire, fr. L. destruere, destructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.]

1.To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish. [1913 Webster]

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.— Ex. xxxiv. 13.[1913 Webster]

2.To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume. [1913 Webster]

I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.— Jer. xii. 17.[1913 Webster]

3.To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill. [1913 Webster]

If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some false guile pervert.— Milton.

Syn: To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish. [1913 Webster]