verb
destruct
dih-STRUHKT
Destruct (verb) means to destroy something deliberately, especially as part of a built-in mechanism. Example: “The rocket was ordered to destruct after veering off course.”
verb
1
To destroy something deliberately, especially as part of a built-in mechanism.
"The rocket was ordered to destruct after veering off course."
How to use destruct
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo deliberately trigger destruction, often of a device or system.
Common pairings
self-destruct
destruct sequence
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- destructs
- Past tense
- destructed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rocket was ordered to _____ after veering off course.
Etymology
A back-formation from "destruction" — the noun came first, and "destruct" was created from it.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “destruct” mean?
The word “destruct” means to destroy something deliberately, especially as part of a built-in mechanism. In plain terms, to deliberately trigger destruction, often of a device or system.
How do you pronounce “destruct”?
“Destruct” is pronounced dih-STRUHKT (/dɪˈstɹʌkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “destruct” in a sentence?
Here is “destruct” used in a sentence: “The rocket was ordered to destruct after veering off course.”
What part of speech is “destruct”?
“Destruct” is a verb.
