摧

Forceful dismantling or crushing via overwhelming force. This includes physical demolition (e.g., structures, branches) and abstract collapse (e.g., resolve, spirit, military formations).

Primarily a transitive verb. In later classical prose, frequently paired with 毀 as 摧毀 to denote total annihilation.

Contrast with 破 (which emphasizes the breach or the state of being broken), 折 (typically a snap, bend, or fracture), and 滅 (total extinction or wiping something out of existence).

The phonetic component 崔 (steep/lofty) informs a nuance of bringing something down from a position of height, power, or stability.

When glossed as "injure," the term typically implies catastrophic injury—such as the crushing of a limb or bone—rather than a minor wound.