The word(s) "destroy" appears 79 time(s) in 74 verse(s) in Quran in Muhammad Habib Shakir translation.

(51) And (We destroyed) Ad and Samood, and from their dwellings (this) is apparent to you indeed; and the Shaitan made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so he kept them back from the path, though they were endowed with intelligence and skill,

(52) And (We destroyed) Qaroun and Firon and Haman; and certainly Musa came to them with clear arguments, but they behaved haughtily in the land; yet they could not outstrip (Us).

(53) Does it not point out to them the right way, how many of the generations, in whose abodes they go about, did We destroy before them? Most surely there are signs in this; will they not then hear?

(54) Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them?

(55) Then We destroyed the others.

(56) How many did We destroy before them of the generations, then they cried while the time of escaping had passed away.

(57) The people of Nuh and the parties after them rejected (prophets) before them, and every nation purposed against their apostle to destroy him, and they disputed by means of the falsehood that they might thereby render null the truth, therefore I destroyed them; how was then My retribution!

(58) Have they not travelled in the earth and seen how was the end of those who were before them? Mightier than these were they in strength-- and in fortifications in the land, but Allah destroyed them for their sins; and there was not for them any defender against Allah.

(59) That was because there came to them their apostles with clear arguments, but they rejected (them), therefore Allah destroyed them; surely He is Strong, Severe in retribution.

(60) Then We destroyed those who were stronger than these in prowess, and the case of the ancients has gone before,