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 terrorism committed by Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent destruction of Gaza by Israeli forces are not the same. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

When breakthroughs are elusive, pursuing incremental gains and the steady destruction of enemy capacity becomes attractive. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026

Asked about the potential ill effects on artists’ practices of the large-scale destruction of books, weighed against the possible benefits of technological progress, Chan and Paul’ had a spirited exchange. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The classification covers incidents involving aircraft destruction, fatalities, or qualifying damage exceeding $2 million. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 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