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 of destruction

• 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

All three appeared in court Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charge of destruction of property. — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 9 July 2026

There were also logistical challenges, as only a limited amount of equipment could be transported by plane, and vehicles were hard to navigate through the destruction. — Ella Moore july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Federal prosecutors charged Hearn with a single count of destruction of property causing more than $1,000 in damage to the pool. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 9 July 2026

Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted last Thursday on a single felony count of property destruction. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

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