destroyer

plural destroyers

1. That which destroys something.

   But it is as a destroyer of grasshoppers that the dickcissel excels.

   1901, Sylvester D. Judd, The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture, page 91

   1 more example

   These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.

   1908 January 28, John Muir, “Hetch Hetchy Valley”, in Sierra Club Bulletin

   Synonyms: devastator, decimator

2. historicalgovernmentA small, fast warship with light gun armament, smaller than a cruiser, but bigger than a frigate.
3. governmentA larger warship with guided missile armament, usually intended for air defence or anti-ship roles. Often, but not always, larger than a frigate and smaller than a cruiser.
   1. broadlygovernmentA starship of comparable role.