destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

scenes of death and destruction

the destruction of their careers

2

: the action or process of destroying something

the destruction of the building

3

: a destroying agency

Alcohol will be his destruction.

Synonyms

• devastation
• havoc
• demolition
• extinction
• loss
• extermination

Examples of destruction in a Sentence

War results in death and widespread destruction.

We are trying to save the building from destruction.

Recent Examples on the Web

July 6, 2025: A large scale of destruction in Georgetown, downed trees show the aftermath of raging floodwaters in the South San Gabriel River. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

There remain concerns that more rain in the coming days could cause additional destruction. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025

Regardless, the truck’s destruction eventually creates a bonding moment with Hank, Bobby, and the most reliable member of the elder generation that Hank knows: the memory of his old truck. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025

The savage cries of its defenders now silent and still as its ruin was overseen by the architects of its very destruction. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destruccioun, from Anglo-French destruction, from Latin destruction-, destructio, from destruere — see destroy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destruction

• seed/seeds of one's own destruction
• self-destruction
• weapon of mass destruction
• weapons of mass destruction

Rhymes for destruction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids Definition

destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

2

: the action or process of destroying something