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

There can’t be many people who have seen more of the world than Attenborough has, and borne witness to more cycles of creation and destruction. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

After the Arab Spring, there was massive cultural destruction happening in the Middle East. —Pablo Larios, Artforum, 7 May 2026

Jonathan Rinderknecht — Palisades Fire Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver, was arrested in October 2025 and charged with destruction of property by means of fire in relation to the Palisades Fire in California, which kicked off on New Year's Day 2025. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

Tehran has touted the strait as a potential revenue stream that could help rebuild the country after destruction caused by American and Israeli strikes. —Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 7 May 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