destroy

détruire

Abîmer quelque chose au point de le rendre inutilisable ou de le faire disparaître.

En anglais simple : To damage something so badly that it cannot be used or no longer exists.

• The fire destroyed our house.
• They destroyed the old bridge.
• The storm has destroyed several boats.

Synonymes : ruin, wreck, demolish

Contraires : build, create

Expressions courantes : destroy a building, destroy evidence, destroy a forest, destroy a house

détruire, anéantir

Faire disparaître complètement une qualité, un état ou un effet.

En anglais simple : To make a quality, condition, or effect disappear completely.

• The lie destroyed my trust.
• Too much salt can destroy the delicate flavour.
• The changes destroyed the balance between work and family life.

Synonymes : ruin, eliminate, remove

Contraires : restore

Expressions courantes : destroy confidence, destroy the balance, destroy someone’s trust

anéantir, briser

Faire tellement souffrir quelqu’un ou lui causer tant de problèmes qu’il sente sa vie ruinée.

En anglais simple : To cause someone such serious emotional pain or trouble that their life feels ruined.

• The loss almost destroyed him.
• Years of cruel treatment had destroyed her emotionally.
• He feared that another failure would destroy him.

Synonymes : devastate, ruin, crush

Expressions courantes : destroy someone emotionally, destroy someone’s life