What does destroyed mean?
Word: Destroyed
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Destroyed means damaged something so badly that it no longer exists or works.
Synonyms: ruined, wrecked, demolished, smashed
Antonyms: built, created, repaired
How do you spell destroyed?
Syllables: de - stroyed
Tricky part: The base verb has a vowel before its y, so the y stays when ed is added: destroyed, not destroied.
Watch out for: destroied, destroyd, destoryed
Memory tip: When a vowel stands before y, the y is safe: play, played; enjoy, enjoyed; obey, obeyed.
Destroyed in a sentence
Example 1: The termites destroyed the old wooden cupboard.
Example 2: A single spark destroyed months of work in the factory.
Example 3: The rumour destroyed his reputation in the town.
Fun Fact
The word's Latin root meant to un-build: the same root, struere, to build, gave English structure and construct.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to destroyed as used in the sentence:
The storm destroyed the old bandstand in the park, but the town council has promised to rebuild it.
a) restored
b) removed
c) flattened
d) scattered
Show answer
a) restored. The council plans to rebuild, and restored, made good again, is the reverse of destroyed.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
d_str_yed
a) i, a
b) i, o
c) e, a
d) e, o
Show answer
d) e, o. De opens the word, and destroy keeps the o of boy before its y.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The hailstorm yrsodtede nearly half of the wheat in the district.
a) dressed
b) destined
c) deserted
d) destroyed
Show answer
d) destroyed. Destined, deserted and dressed have no y and no o, so the jumble can only be destroyed.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What could have destroyed a sandcastle within a few seconds?
a) a passing crab
b) a big wave
c) the morning sun
d) a gentle breeze
Show answer
b) a big wave
2. "The fire destroyed the old records." After the fire, the records ____.
a) were a little damp at the edges
b) could no longer be read or used
c) were copied for the office
d) were moved to a safer room
Show answer
b) could no longer be read or used
