deconstruction

noun

de·​con·​struc·​tion ˌdē-kən-ˈstrək-shən 

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.

Synonyms

• analysis
• anatomizing
• anatomy
• assay
• breakdown
• dissection

Examples of deconstruction in a Sentence

a lengthy deconstruction of the president's speech by a panel of pundits

Recent Examples on the Web

Goodbye Bridge Walk What: People can take a final walk across the bridge before the deconstruction process begins. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 13 July 2024

Hardy, who if prompted adores waxing philosophical on the craft of acting, dives into a deconstruction of his own work. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 22 June 2024

The looks themselves were mostly about the deconstruction and reconstitution of the sweatshirt — or, perhaps more accurately, thick cotton sweatshirt fabric. —Cathrin Schaer, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

His focus was on deconstruction; garments were inside-out and incomplete, and the process of their making was revealed. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French déconstruction, from dé- de- + construction

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1