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

But that's essentially what's happening inside a giant destruction laboratory, funded by the insurance industry, in the woods of South Carolina. — Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

Millions of others have been displaced due to the destruction of the landscape. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026

The use of new production technologies also requires a degree of creative destruction that Beijing’s own industrial policy interventions have inhibited. — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

Tensions quickly escalated between riot police and partygoers, resulting in property destruction, looting, fires, and violence. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 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