destroyer

noun

Definition of destroyernext
1
as in wrecker

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in warship

Related Words
3
as in devourer

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destroyer Paul Pennson, North Hollywood, defensive lineman, senior The size might not stand out at first glance, but there’s a destroyer in hiding for the Huskies with Pennson leading the pass rush. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 The Benfold, a 30-year-old ship, was sailing with the George Washington carrier strike group on July 24 when an issue with the ship's generators caused a complete loss of power aboard the destroyer, according to Comer. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 Unless Washington provides another naval destroyer, he will be forced to choose defense of the United States over Israel, the report claimed, as the Iran war has put a strain on Washington’s military arsenal. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 Joao Palhinha If Everton want a pure destroyer, there are few better than the Bayern Munich man. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for destroyer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destroyer
  1. wrecker
  2. warship
  3. devourer
  4. saboteur
  5. merchantman
  6. sponge
  7. waster
  8. freighter
Noun
  • No one is as refined as the Ohio State star, but Coleman’s potential as a 6-foot-3, 210-pound, do-everything game-wrecker is tantalizing.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • After a police wrecker lifted the truck, officers found a further 11 bodies crushed beneath the iron rods.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Definition of wrecker
Noun
  • Paint has worn off and the metal underneath is rusted on the 1,092-foot warship, which is one of the largest in the world.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
  • However, the prolonged deployment raised concerns amid reports of health issues, deteriorating conditions aboard the warship, and low morale.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of warship
Noun
  • The famous 1796 Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington, the town-devourer, his hand solemnly outstretched, hung in a frame near the entrance.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of devourer
Noun
  • That war ended in a humiliating defeat by an enemy regarded as much weaker, and many tsarist officials blamed the outcome on Japanese spies and saboteurs.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Private corporations have long worked with the federal government to help disrupt cybercriminals, but largely as contractors fulfilling a support role, not digital saboteurs handed a target.
    — Henry Larson, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of saboteur
Noun
  • The Navy already has ships in the fleet that are former merchantmen.
    — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 10 Jan. 2019
Definition of merchantman
Noun
  • Abrasive sponges and cleaners can leave tiny marks behind that will dull and damage the surface over time.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The sponge stick was such a normal, everyday object that it could even be used in metaphor.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sponge
Noun
  • The form asks for the date and time of the watering, along with the waster’s address.
    — Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
  • The state Department of Environmental Protection is responding and will assist in the safe disposal of waster materials generated during the cleanup Morrisey said.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of waster
Noun
  • The ship is similar in size and capacity to the Sanchi, an Iranian ship that collided with a freighter off China in 2018 in the world’s worst oil tanker disaster in decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Ground handling and tarmac loading have fully resumed, though flight schedules will require another 24-to-48 hours to clear passenger and freighter backlogs.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of freighter

Browse Nearby Words

destroyed
destroyer
destroyers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destroyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroyer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on destroyer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about destroyer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All