Correct spelling, explanation: the word destroy comes from the Latin base word struere, and the suffix de- which is also of Latin origin, but is commonly used in English and usually means to undo. In this case, destruere (literally: to unbuild) changed to destroy to fit English in phonetics and writing. In general, the suffixes do not change that much throughout all this time, so it is important to keep them recognizable. This is why destroy should be spelled like it currently is.

Definition of destroy:
verb
1. To demolish, to damage something so it no longer exists or functions properly
We knew the storm was bad, but we were not aware it could destroy our whole house.
The lies and miscommunications that destroyed our marriage.

Incorrect spelling, explanation: the origins of the word destroy – Latin destruere – give us the basis of the current form of the word. But while there may be arguments about how the word has changed over time, what is very important is the significance of the prefix. If the word was spelled distroy, the prefix di- suggests the meaning two (like the Greek prefix bi-). The prefix de-, on the other hand, is generally understood as to undo something, which is why it has to stay unchanged in destroy.

Incorrect spelling

Incorrect spelling

Incorrect spelling