deconstruct

verb

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de·con·struct | \ ˌdē-kən-ˈstrəkt

\

deconstructed; deconstructing; deconstructs

Definition of deconstruct

transitive verb

1 : to examine (something, such as a work of literature) using the methods of deconstruction

2 : to take apart or examine (something) in order to reveal the basis or composition often with the intention of exposing biases, flaws, or inconsistencies deconstruct the myths of both the left and the right— Wayne Karlin

3 : to adapt or separate the elements of for use in an ironic or radically new way uses his masterly tailoring skills to deconstruct the classics — Vogue

4 : destroy, demolish nations that are deconstructing themselves— Jim Hoagland

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Examples of deconstruct in a Sentence

deconstructing the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes

Recent Examples on the Web But the costs of deconstructing a building can be double that of simply razing it. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee continues freeze on requirement that old houses be slowly dismantled, instead of quickly razed," 14 Jan. 2020 Sammie scores points with the audience for quickly deconstructing the superficial, even potentially hurtful, label. — Omar Sanchez, EW.com, "The 5 DMs that have put Sammie in the driver's seat on Netflix's The Circle," 7 Jan. 2020 The group plans to deconstruct a vacant duplex, at 1245-1247 N. Milwaukee St., and develop a four-story building with three luxury apartments. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Buck Pat Connaughton wants to develop a small mixed-use building -- this time on Brady Street," 5 Dec. 2019 The new vaudevillians, like Bill Irwin and David Shiner who emerged in the 1980s and ’90s, aimed to reinvigorate clowning by deconstructing or winking at classic tropes. — Jason Zinoman, New York Times, "Make Way for the Carnal Clowns of Stand-Up," 15 Nov. 2019 Curatorial fandom worships and upholds the source text above all else, rather than deconstructing it, or challenging its canonical authority. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Why the ending of Game of Thrones elevated the worst of fan culture," 20 July 2019 Beach House LLC, a group led by Connaughton, will deconstruct a vacant duplex, at 1245-1247 N. Milwaukee St., and develop a four-story building with three luxury apartments. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pat Connaughton can replace 19th-century downtown duplex with apartments after historic designation dropped," 10 Dec. 2019 Wood said city records show that for every Portland home deconstructed, 12 new housing units are created on average. — oregonlive, "Portland may expand which old homes must be dismantled by hand," 7 Nov. 2019 That comic book boldly reflected the societal concerns and anxieties of its time while also audaciously deconstructing the superhero genre. — Mark Dawidziak, cleveland, "‘Watchmen’ series begins in heroic fashion," 20 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deconstruct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.