The word 销毁 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core idea to create a unified concept. 销 primarily carries the meaning of "to melt" (as metal) or "to cancel", while 毁 means "to destroy" or "to ruin". Their combination does not simply add the two actions, but rather uses the first to graphically specify the method of the second; it evokes the vivid image of melting something down as the means to utterly destroy it, extending metaphorically to mean the complete and irreversible elimination of any object or thing.