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 Until the 1990s, the Cold War threatened nuclear destruction over a political fault line that split Europe in half. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 In response, Ukraine has hit high-profile targets on Russian soil as the countries inflict mutual destruction. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 But protests—including appeals from the architects, who offered to help authorities repurpose the complex—have failed to halt their destruction. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors contend this constituted destruction of evidence, a federal crime. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 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
  • For France, long accustomed to wildfires along arid stretches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the devastation in Le Porge has yielded rare consensus that its fire safety system is not up to fighting mega-fires brought on by climate change.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • Thematic methodologies have been one of the downfalls of contemporary museology (and art history) generally, a crisis of collective memory and the historical imagination overall.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Silver Academy was not the only institution housed on the Grass Campus that was hurt by the Harrisburg federation’s downfall.
    — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of downfall
Noun
  • Although not a direct hit, Lala dumped nearly 3 feet of rain on the Big Island, bringing widespread havoc.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the movie, a group of teens accidentally release a bunch of monsters from Stine’s book collection, creating complete havoc and plenty of great family-friendly frights.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 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
  • Barlow credits that at least partially to the demolition of the Timothy Cheney House, a landmark mansion on East Center Street since the early 1700s.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Beach today may be filled with newcomers, cranes and construction, deals and demolitions.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • His death ignited anger in a small town where tensions between Black residents and the police have boiled over in recent years.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The public health department’s document also listed a history of stroke and kidney cancer as other significant conditions that contributed to his death, but did not result in the underlying cause of Curry’s death.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • In 2023, Gates, along with Suleyman, Hassabis, and hundreds of other tech and policy leaders, signed a statement saying the risk of extinction from AI should be treated as a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Free mall parking is the latest complimentary perk on the verge of extinction.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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