Spanish Conversation · Level 27
90 words
Spanish word
destruir
Pronunciation
IPA/desˈtɾwiɾ/
Meaning
- verbdestroy
Example
La guerra destruyó la ciudad.
The war destroyed the city.
More examples
Sus mentiras destruyeron nuestra confianza.
His lies destroyed our trust.
Core concept
A building reduced to rubble.
Common phrases
destruir la ciudad
destroy the city
destruir recuerdos
destroy memories
destruir la confianza
destroy trust
Similar words
destrozar: Shatter or smash an object so its original form is largely lost.
arruinar: Reduce finances, plans, or reputation to an unrecoverable ruined state.
derribar: Bring down a standing structure or object by forcing it to fall.
devastar: Lay waste to a wide area, leaving large-scale destruction and desolation.
Definition in Spanish
Arruinar algo de forma irreversible, de modo que deje de existir o funcione mal.
Word origin
From Latin destrūere (de- 'apart' + strūere 'to pile or build'), originally 'unbuild' and now 'to destroy'.
Usage tips
- Used for irreversible, complete damage and commonly applied to abstract targets such as destruir la confianza.
Other meanings
- demolishverb
- ruinverb
Opposites
- construirbuildverb
Related words
- destruidodestroyedadjective
- destructordestroyernoun