Thread: destroy

From a previous discussion in the forum I understood that we, foreigners, face difficulties in understanding the use of word "destroy"in russian language. Personally in all cases I was using the word разрушать, which as you explain is used just for big constructions (e.g. buildings). For this reason I am seeking all possibles versions:

1. Alcohol destroys liver.
2. European Union policies destroyed the economies of Northern Europe.
3. The car was fully destroyed in the car accident.
4. The rebel forces were destroyed in battle.
5. The new medicine destroyed the spreading virus.
6. The leather strap of the watch can be destroyed by the exposition in hot water.
7. The manuscripts were destroyed when they were exposed to air.
8. Greediness destroy happiness.
9. Smoking destroys health.
10. He had destroyed his back by professional weight-lifting (possible in Greek).
11. The financial crisis destroyed small and middle businesses.

... The list is endless.