détruire
/de.tʁɥiʁ/verb★Intermediate
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
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
détruire un mythephrase
to debunk a myth
détruire un espoirphrase
to crush a hope
💡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