destroying angel

noun

: any of several very poisonous pure white amanita mushrooms (such as Amanita verna or A. virosa) : death cap

Examples of destroying angel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Deadly mushrooms in Marin The most dangerous varieties found in Marin — for both dogs and people — are the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and destroying angel (Amanita ocreata). —

Julia Lamont, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024 Read more: Beware of deadly wild mushrooms: Portage County man survives poisoning, thanks to experimental drug at UH - cleveland.com In common parlance, these mushrooms are referred to as destroying angels or death cap mushrooms. —

Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2023 Additionally, Amanita muscaria are often confused with relatives: deadly impostors known as the death cap and the destroying angel. —

Joanna Klein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of destroying angel was circa 1900

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Destroying angel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destroying%20angel. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation