- "Destory" is an incorrect spelling of the word "destroy."
- "Destroy" means to damage or ruin something so badly that it can't be used or fixed anymore. It's like breaking things or tearing them apart.
❌ The hurricane's strong winds could destory entire buildings.
✅ The hurricane's strong winds could destroy entire buildings.
In the sentence, "destroy" means that the hurricane's strong winds have the potential to cause severe damage or ruin entire buildings to the point where they may become unusable or collapse.
What does "destroy" mean?
"Destroy" is a verb that means to cause severe damage or ruin something to the point where it is no longer functional or recognizable.
In a literal sense, "destroy" may describe demolishing objects and structures. For example, a hurricane can destroy buildings.
In a figurative sense, "destroy" can describe breaking down people or ideas. For example, someone can destroy their opponent in a competition.
The use of "destroy" and "destory" over time
The Ngram graph below shows how often "destroy" and "destory" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. "Destroy" has experienced a steady decline, with a slight increase in use in the last 20 years, while its misspelling "destory" has always seen nearly zero use.
How to pronounce "destroy"
In American English, "destroy" is pronounced like "dee·stroy" or "duh·stroy."
In British English, "destroy" is pronounced like "duh·stroy."
These are just the standard pronunciations, and there may be slight variations depending on regional accents and individual speech patterns.
Why would we misspell "destroy" as "destory"?
Simple Typos: When typing quickly, it's easy to accidentally type the "o" before the "r" and not notice the mistake.
Cognitive Difficulties: For some people, especially those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, they may mix up the ordering of the "r" and "o" without realizing it.
Other common misspellings of "destroy"
- Distroy
- Destriy
- Destrpy
- Desroy
- Desstroy
Example sentences of the misspelling of "destroy" as "destory"
- The accurate spelling is "destroy," not "destory," so please be cautious to avoid the mistake.
- If you spot "destory" in your writing, make sure to correct it to the correct spelling, which is "destroy."
- Double-check your work to ensure you haven't accidentally used the incorrect term "destory" instead of "destroy."
- In formal communication, it's vital to use the proper spelling; remember, it's "destroy," not "destory."
- "Destory" is a common misspelling that should be corrected to "destroy" for clarity and precision in your writing.
Example sentences of "destroy"
- It's important not to litter and destroy the beauty of our environment.
- Firefighters worked hard to prevent the wildfire from destroying the entire forest.
- Some insects can destroy crops if not controlled.
- War can destroy communities and homes, causing immense suffering.
- The earthquake had the power to destroy bridges and roads.
- In video games, players often have the goal to destroy enemy bases.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals that can destroy the delicate balance of ecosystems.
- Termites can silently destroy wooden structures over time.
- The villain in the story had a plan to destroy the world with a powerful weapon.
- Harsh words can sometimes destroy friendships if not addressed.
🖊️ Distruction or Destruction: Which Is Correct?
🖊️ Debree or Debris: Which Is Correct?
Synonyms for "destroy"
- Demolish
- Wreck
- Ruin
- Devastate
- Annihilate
- Obliterate
- Decimate
- Raze
- Dismantle
- Eradicate
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