'destroy' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'destruire', where 'des-' meant 'apart' and 'struere' meant 'to build'.

'destruire' transformed into the Middle English word 'destroyen', and eventually became the modern English word 'destroy'.

Initially, it meant 'to unbuild or dismantle', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to ruin or annihilate'.