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
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Recent Examples of destruction
But here, the body isn’t a site of discomfort so much as destruction—a flamethrower ready to ignite.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Stand Up for Science is currently leading the campaign to mobilize Congress against the library’s destruction.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The filmmaker deliberately wove environmental destruction and judicial inequality into the narrative fabric rather than treating them as background decoration.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
France has been a pioneer in restricting the destruction of unsold goods through its Anti‑Waste and Circular Economy Law, or AGEC, which came into effect in stages starting in 2022.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Stand Up for Science is currently leading the campaign to mobilize Congress against the library’s destruction.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The filmmaker deliberately wove environmental destruction and judicial inequality into the narrative fabric rather than treating them as background decoration.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
France has been a pioneer in restricting the destruction of unsold goods through its Anti‑Waste and Circular Economy Law, or AGEC, which came into effect in stages starting in 2022.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destruction
Noun
-
It's all told from the vantage point of a woman trying to make sense of her life in the face of devastation, sometimes grasping for signs that only hindsight can uncover.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This has brought generational devastation.—
Stephen Swanson,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Martin’s books, the tourney was the catalyst for the downfall of House Targaryen.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Haman’s downfall is not orchestrated by armies.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
America’s obsession with betting has created havoc for NBA players, who have faced a torrent of abuse from fans and spoken out publicly about it.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With his size and strength, McDonald can regularly get into the backfield and create havoc.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.—
Nathan Smith,
Time,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The demolition of La Brea Bakery forced the closure of the temporary Earl of Sandwich restaurant that had taken over the location during construction of a new permanent Earl of Sandwich location on the west end of Downtown Disney.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
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The measures follow years of accusations by Palestinians that actions by settlers and the military — campaigns of violence, harassment and demolitions — have pushed them from their land.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The coroner said next of kin have been notified, and the cause and manner of death for each are pending autopsy results.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
He was initially sentenced to death, though the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and he was later pardoned.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another drought in 2007 reduced it again to about 750, putting the bird on the brink of extinction.—
Sofia Baltodano,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The company also typically partners with conservation groups hoping to protect specific species and with local and regional indigenous groups who would have interest and be impacted by de-extinction or the loss of a species.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rose’s attempts to make a success of her life will be her undoing, however, a fate that begins to unfold when a neighboring landowner offers her his daughter, Suzanna (Caro Braun).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
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Legal challenges are certain for an action that repeals all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks, and could unleash a broader undoing of climate regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities, experts say.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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