Crossword Genius

Wastes oysters served after degustatory starter (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

destroys

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'wastes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'oysters served after degustatory starter' is the wordplay.
'served' is an anagram indicator.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'starter' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'degustatory' is 'd'.
'oysters' is an anagram of 'estroys'.
'estroys' put after 'd' is 'DESTROYS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for destroys that I've seen before include "Spoils or ruins completely" , "Spoils completely, perhaps kills" , "Puts down" , "Ruins or bankrupts" , "Spoils or breaks completely" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.