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 Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted last Thursday on a single felony count of property destruction. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Given that genocide involves mass murder and the destruction of life, including the elimination of access to food and medicine, its definition in the Rome Statute overlaps to some extent with the broader definition of crimes against humanity. — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 Federal prosecutors have also charged three other individuals with destruction of property for allegedly removing pieces of blue paint from the site, according to court documents. — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 9 July 2026 There were also logistical challenges, as only a limited amount of equipment could be transported by plane, and vehicles were hard to navigate through the destruction. — Ella Moore july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 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
  • Alfonzo’s younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, have been missing since last month when earthquakes caused widespread devastation in his home country of Venezuela.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Yet amid the devastation, what stands out is the determination of ordinary Venezuelans.
    — James Longman, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • Reform handed the ruling Labour Party a stunning defeat in local elections earlier this year, contributing to the downfall of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
    — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • But the Explorer’s acceleration is loud, prompting one of the vehicle’s few engine downfalls.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of downfall
Noun
  • His counterpressing has been a major aid to the way the team plays, and Balogun’s ability to run in behind the lines and cause havoc in the box opens space and makes things easier for the attacking players around him.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • You’d be forgiven for thinking far fewer of the destructive predators are causing havoc, however.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • 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
  • The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of ruination
Noun
  • Trump has also embarked on a controversial project to build a White House ballroom, beginning with the demolition of the East Wing earlier this year.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • To many structural engineers, demolition should occur only as a last resort.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • In a statement Wednesday evening, DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson called the death a tragedy and said the county remains committed to transparency and integrity.
    — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • Her parents, Mariano and Beatriz, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ and shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, describing her death as a total shock and unexpected.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • Although this is likely an underestimate, due to insufficient data on more than half of North America's firefly species, at least 18 species are officially listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as threatened with extinction.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The fossils date to the Paleocene Epoch, the first 10 million years after the end-Cretaceous extinction, during which mammals rapidly diversified as ecosystems slowly recovered.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • In Tabor’s telling, Field comes off as a figure of Shakespearean tragedy, someone whose strengths would paradoxically become his undoing.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026
  • Ironically, the runaway success of this year’s World Cup may prove to be Lalas’ undoing.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of destruction for Spanish Speakers

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