1. a person or thing that destroys or causes destruction
2. a fast warship equipped with guns, missiles, and torpedoes
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The hurricane was a destroyer of homes and businesses.
• Fire can be both a creator and destroyer of forests.
• The naval destroyer patrolled the coastline.
• Three destroyers escorted the aircraft carrier.
• The old building’s destroyer used dynamite to bring it down.
• Critics called the new policy a destroyer of small businesses.
• The destroyer launched missiles at the enemy target.