menghancurkan

Menghancurkan is an Indonesian transitive verb meaning to destroy, demolish, or ruin something, usually indicating thorough or complete destruction. It can target physical objects, structures, landscapes, as well as abstract things such as plans, hopes, or reputations.

Origin and form: The word is derived from the adjective hancur (destroyed; ruined) with the prefix meng- that marks a causal, agentive action, plus the suffix -kan that forms a transitive causative verb. The phonological assimilation after meng- yields the form menghancurkan.

Usage and nuance: Menghancurkan carries stronger connotations of total ruin than merusak (to damage) and is closer in sense to memusnahkan (to exterminate or annihilate) in some contexts. It can describe physical destruction, such as buildings or infrastructure, but is also used metaphorically to indicate canceling or destroying plans, ambitions, or reputations.

Examples: Gempa bumi menghancurkan banyak bangunan. Pemerintah menghancurkan kampung itu sebagai bagian dari proyek relokasi. Hal ini dapat menghancurkan harapan banyak orang.

See also: hancur, kehancuran, merusak, memusnahkan.