How to say "destroy" in Japanese

• 崩すくずすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers destroy in the sense of pulling something down: demolishing or tearing down a building, wall, or similar structure. The image is bringing it down or crumbling it rather than smashing it to pieces.
• 壊すこわすJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers destroy as physical breakage: breaking objects or demolishing structures so that they are ruined or unusable. Use this when destroy simply means breaking something to pieces.
  その事ことが彼かれのすべての夢ゆめを壊こわした。↗

  That destroyed all his dreams.
• 滅ぼすほろぼすJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbDestroy in a sweeping, annihilating sense: overthrowing an enemy or a state and bringing it to utter ruin. Much stronger than mere breakage; use it when destruction means wiping something out entirely.
  核兵器かくへいきはわが地球ちきゅうを滅ほろぼすと思おもう。↗

  We think nuclear weapons will destroy our earth.
• 討つうつJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbDestroy only in the sense of destroying an enemy: the word really means to attack, defeat, or conquer an opponent. Not the word for wrecking objects or demolishing buildings.
• 破るやぶるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbDestroy is only a marginal match: this word really means to tear or rip something, or to break it. Seldom the word you want for destroy unless destruction amounts to tearing.
  だれがこの封筒ふうとうを破やぶって開あけたのか。↗

  Who has torn the envelope open?

Choose 「壊す」 for breaking or wrecking things, 「崩す」 for pulling down or demolishing structures, 「滅ぼす」 for ruining or annihilating a state or people, 「討つ」 for destroying an enemy, and 「破る」 only when destroy means tearing.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 崩すくずすto destroy
• 壊すこわすto break
• 滅ぼすほろぼすto destroy
• 討つうつto attack
• 破るやぶるto tear
• 打ち破るうちやぶるto break
• ぶち壊すぶちこわすto destroy
• 打ち壊すうちこわすto destroy
• 打ち滅ぼすうちほろぼすto destroy
• 切り枯らすきりからすto destroy
• 討ち滅ぼすうちほろぼすto destroy
• 毀つこぼつto destroy
• ぶっ壊すぶっこわすto destroy
• 台無しにするだいなしにするto spoil
• ぶち破るぶちやぶるto smash down
• 殺すころすto suppress
• 蝕むむしばむto affect adversely
• 滅するめっするto destroy
• ぶっ潰すぶっつぶすto ruin (a plan, company, etc.)
• 粉々にするこなごなにするto beat to a pulp