destroyer — English Dictionary

Noun

1. That which destroys something.

   Examples

   But it is as a destroyer of grasshoppers that the dickcissel excels.

   More examples (1)

   These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.

2. A small, fast warship with light gun armament, smaller than a cruiser, but bigger than a frigate.

   Usage

   • Historical

3. A larger warship with guided missile armament, usually intended for air defence or anti-ship roles. Often, but not always, larger than a frigate and smaller than a cruiser.

4. A larger warship with guided missile armament, usually intended for air defence or anti-ship roles. Often, but not always, larger than a frigate and smaller than a cruiser. A starship of comparable role.

   Usage

   • broadly

Noun

1. a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship

   Synonyms

   guided missile destroyer

   Broader terms

   warshipwar vesselcombat ship

2. a person who destroys or ruins or lays waste to

   Synonyms

   ruinerundoerwasteruprooter

   Broader terms

   bad person

   Examples

   a destroyer of the environment

   jealousy was his undoer

   More examples (1)

   uprooters of gravestones