deconstruction

noun

de·​con·​struc·​tion ˌdē-kən-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce deconstruction (audio)
1
: a philosophical or critical method which asserts that meanings, metaphysical constructs, and hierarchical oppositions (as between key terms in a philosophical or literary work) are always rendered unstable by their dependence on ultimately arbitrary signifiers
also : an instance of the use of this method
a deconstruction of the nature–culture opposition in Rousseau's work
2
: the analytic examination of something (such as a theory) often in order to reveal its inadequacy

Did you know?

Deconstruction doesn't actually mean "demolition;" instead it means "breaking down" or analyzing something (especially the words in a work of fiction or nonfiction) to discover its true significance, which is supposedly almost never exactly what the author intended. A feminist may deconstruct an old novel to show how even an innocent-seeming story somehow depends on the oppression of women. A new western may deconstruct the myths of the old West and show lawmen as vicious and criminals as flawed but decent. Table manners, The Sound of Music, and cosmetics ads have all been the subjects of deconstructionist analysis. Of course, not everyone agrees with deconstructionist interpretations, and some people reject the whole idea of deconstruction, but most of us have run into it by now even if we didn't realize it.

Examples of deconstruction in a Sentence

a lengthy deconstruction of the president's speech by a panel of pundits
Recent Examples on the Web Much has been written about the jaw-dropping visuals inside the Sphere, and much of the imagery — including a deconstruction of the Las Vegas skyline — lives up to the hype. Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024 There’s one thing that separates Drive-Away Dolls from the usual pulp-fiction deconstruction template that the brothers had perfected in the past, however. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 The deconstruction process of the hangar began Dec. 5, according to city officials. Roberto Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2023 Photograph: Hublot The Swiss brand is marketing the design as a deconstruction of a typical clockwork system. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2024 But this authoritative, ten-part documentary series — which begins its account as a sanitized, Tony-award-winning Broadway musical is again demonstrating Jackson’s unsinkable allure — earns its place alongside the most incisive deconstructions of the most famous pop star who ever lived. Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2023 The Greek director Christos Nikou’s first English-language feature is neither a sci-fi parable with a body-horror bent nor a deconstruction of the romantic comedy. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2023 Although there is a reversible skirt and a pair of boots that can be adapted with zippers, the deconstruction engaged in here was mostly playful and conceptual. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2023 Their wanton deconstruction to obtain the stone for other purposes using the power of fossil fuels (gasoline and diesel fuel for machines) was something Robert Frost didn’t see coming. Robert Thorson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deconstruction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French déconstruction, from dé- de- + construction

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deconstruction was in 1973

Dictionary Entries Near deconstruction

Cite this Entry

“Deconstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deconstruction. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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