destruction

noun

di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce destruction (audio)
Definition of destructionnext
1
as in devastation
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless the violent storm resulted in the destruction of their tree house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life alcohol will be her destruction if we don't intervene to help her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destruction Forgo those weapons, as the Iranians have done until now, and the result is destruction, attempts at regime change, and demands for unconditional surrender. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 Arriving firefighters found approximately 30 one-story cabanas damaged or destroyed, with the destruction appearing consistent with a possible tornado touchdown, according to Nassau County fire officials. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 When hit by a projectile traveling faster than seven times the speed of sound, the composite held together and resisted destruction. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 The 67-year-old former athlete was arrested on June 19 and indicted on one charge of destruction of property of $1,000 or more on July 2. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destruction
  1. devastation
  2. downfall
  3. havoc
  4. ruination
  5. demolition
  6. death
  7. extinction
  8. undoing
Noun
  • The mall’s survival amid the community’s devastation was not without controversy given Caruso’s use of private firefighters to ward off the flames.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Security camera photos show the devastation caused by flooding in Metamora, Indiana, where numerous businesses were damaged after severe weather hit on Wednesday.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • After Iran’s last monarch was deposed in 1979, various paramilitary groups that helped hasten his downfall coalesced into the IRGC.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For others, his downfall exposed the intense and often racist scrutiny Black academics face.
    — Michel Martin, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of downfall
Noun
  • The wingers were the stand-out performers during the pre-season trip to Asia, with Antoine Semenyo in particular — but also Savinho — causing havoc with their dribbling.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The havoc a hacker wreaks using their attack could be catastrophic.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • No other city in the country would blow off the ruination of a community.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Some of these are arranged into more staid compositions of geometric bands of color, while others bend and bulge into shapes evoking the baroque ruination of junk-yard findings.
    — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of ruination
Noun
  • Whitaker says the demolition starts the process of rebuilding.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Raiders went 8-1 in Big 12 play, then capped that campaign off with a 34-7 demolition of BYU in the Big 12 championship game.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • After news broke of Panettiere’s death, tributes from across Hollywood came pouring in online.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jack Coleman, who co-starred in the sci-fi drama Heroes alongside Hayden Panettiere, mourned the actress’ death at age 36 in an emotional tribute.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • The results from Taiwan show that an effective health system and a modest budget can push hepatitis C to the edge of extinction in five years.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird once pushed to the brink of extinction in the United States, has recovered enough to be taken off the endangered species list.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • Will be a factor early especially with the inside draw, but distance will be his undoing.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The rise of this offshore world also led directly to the undoing of all the efforts to hold oligarchs and their wealth to account.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of undoing

Browse Nearby Words

destructible
destruction
destructions
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Cite this Entry

“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of destruction for Spanish Speakers

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