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détruire
/de.tʁɥiʁ/
to destroy
Les bombes ont détruit la ville entière.
The bombs destroyed the entire city.
general
To demolish or ruin something completely, often with violence or force.
Le feu a détruit la forêt.
The fire destroyed the forest.
Il a détruit son téléphone par accident.
He accidentally destroyed his phone.
Can be used both literally and metaphorically.
figurative
To ruin someone's reputation or plans.
Ses mensonges ont détruit sa réputation.
His lies destroyed his reputation.
Often used in emotional or social contexts.
Collocations
détruire un bâtimentto destroy a buildingdétruire des preuvesto destroy evidencedétruire un rêveto shatter a dream
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'détruire' for complete destruction, not partial damage.
Gold Rule
Conjugation
'Détruire' is a regular -re verb. Its past participle is 'détruit'.
Word Origin
From Old French 'destruire', from Latin 'destruere' (to destroy), from 'de-' (completely) + 'struere' (to build).
Usage Notes
Can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. Often implies complete destruction.
Word Breakdown
dé-
completely
prefix-struire
to build
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais