Would?

It's used to express an intention or inclination.
Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.

(Collins)

AnonymousHi,Only together can we defend the world from those who would destroy it.What does "would" mean in this sentence? Possibility, ability, unreal situation...?

"would" is roughly equivalent to "wish to", "want to", or the idiom "would like to" (a weaker form of "want to") in your sentence.

CJ

CalifJim AnonymousHi,Only together can we defend the world from those who would destroy it.What does "would" mean in this sentence? Possibility, ability, unreal situation...?"would" is roughly equivalent to "wish to", "want to", or the idiom "would like to" (a weaker form of "want to") in your sentence.CJ

Is it an imagined situation?

AnonymousIs it an imagined situation?

Not from the speaker's viewpoint. He thinks there are people who really do want to destroy the world.
From the viewpoint of those people, however, I suppose you could say that they imagine destroying the world though they haven't done it (yet).

CJ

CalifJim AnonymousIs it an imagined situation?Not from the speaker's viewpoint. He thinks there are people who really do want to destroy the world.From the viewpoint of those people, however, I suppose you could say that they imagine destroying the world though they haven't done it (yet).CJ

You could imagine anything you want but it has to make sense. Like I c