The term 'DESTROYED BY DEGREES' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'ERODED', which means to gradually wear away or be worn away by natural forces such as wind, water, or ice. This process of erosion is a natural phenomenon that occurs over time and can cause significant damage to structures, landforms, and other objects. Erosion can also refer to the gradual destruction of something due to external forces, such as the erosion of trust in a relationship.