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

The suit seeks financial compensation and wants Congress to divest US aid from the Israeli military units involved in the destruction. — Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

But weather experts warn that even a single tropical storm can cause massive destruction. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Their venom causes intense pain, swelling, bleeding, tissue destruction, and potentially fatal systemic complications. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

The destruction of Solomon's Temple ushered in the Second Temple period, the era of Judaism in which Jesus lived and practiced. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 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