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- Détruire - meaning & definition
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Translate Files Détruire (en. Destroy)
/de.tʁiʁ/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishFrench
verb
To render something non-existent through violence or force.
The war destroyed many cities.
La guerre a détruit de nombreuses villes.
To ruin or severely degrade something.
Lack of maintenance destroyed the old building.
Le manque d'entretien a détruit le vieux bâtiment.
To eliminate completely.
Scientists developed a pesticide to destroy harmful insects.
Les scientifiques ont développé un pesticide pour détruire les insectes nuisibles.
Etymology
From Latin 'destruere', composed of 'de-' and 'struere' which means 'to build'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
to destroy a myth
To provide evidence that invalidates a received idea.
détruire un mythe
to destroy oneself
To adopt self-destructive behavior.
se détruire soi-même
to destroy the evidence
To eliminate or conceal any hint of illegal activity.
détruire les preuves
Related Words
destruction
Act of destroying, the state of what is destroyed.
détruction
destroyed
Past participle of the verb to destroy, relating to what has been completely annihilated.
détruit
destruction
Action of destroying, the result of this action.
destruction
Slang Meanings
Informal expression of destroying in an informal context.
He completely tore apart the opposing team, one could say he destroyed them.
Il a complètement déchiré l'équipe adverse, on peut dire qu'il les a détruits.
To use the word in a figurative sense to talk about a crushing defeat.
The score was so lopsided that one might say they were destroyed on the field.
Le score était tellement déséquilibré qu’on pourrait dire qu’ils ont été détruits sur le terrain.