destroying
Translation
destroying, ruining, wrecking
Examples
The fire is destroying the forest.
The fire is destroying the forest.
Destroying old documents is important.
Destroying old documents is important.
Grammar Patterns
((be)) destroying ((sth.)) to be in the process of ruining (sth.) The fire is destroying the building.
destroying ((sth.)) ((as a gerund)) The act of ruining (sth.) Destroying the evidence is a crime.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ruining, wrecking, demolishing; Antonyms: building, creating, repairing
Etymology
From Latin 'destruere' (to un-build). The '-ing' suffix indicates a continuous action or a gerund.
Memory Tips
Focus on the '-ing' as the ongoing action of 'de-structuring' something.