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 Stars are sturdily constructed, however, and even being right next to a supernova doesn’t guarantee destruction. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 By February 2024, Israel had rained down destruction on Gaza, killing thousands of civilians including women and children, and destroying civilian infrastructure, earning censure from the international community. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The the world’s largest mountain range and deepest canyon occupy these might waters, but warming waters and habitat destruction have left the ocean‘s creatures struggling. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026 And they custom-fit Shawkat’s mellower Molly, who trots behind in Frankie’s wake of destruction. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 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
  • His lack of participation in tournaments following the event may have been his downfall in his attempt to make the playoffs.
    — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For one, the Tea Party folks weren't trying to bring about the downfall of Western civilization and the United States of America.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of downfall
Noun
  • The tropical storm hit Japan days after Typhoon Dolphin created havoc in parts of southern Japan, paralyzing traffic and sending hundreds to take shelter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the center of the effort was sixth-year linebacker Nick Bolton, the quarterback of the unit, who focused on galvanizing the troops to create havoc and slow down an offense that had been humming earlier in the frame.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 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
  • But demolition should be a careful decision based on proper assessments.
    — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This year alone, over 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced across the West Bank by settler attacks and demolitions, according to the United Nations.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolition
Noun
  • Packets of fortified peanut paste that cost less than a dollar each can bring a malnourished child back from the brink of death within weeks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • After his death in 1934, Schilling’s spice company merged with McCormick’s, a Baltimore firm, which remains a leading international food business.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • While an entire neighborhood (or more) is threatened with extinction-by-dinosaur, the fate of Starbuck (real-life dogs Buzz and Brisket share the role), featured prominently in the movie’s trailer, seems to have stirred up the most internet agita.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the species has a core memory of how humanity almost hunted them to extinction.
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • 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
  • Ultimately, the provisions meant to lock taxpayers in could be the wealth tax’s undoing.
    — Jared Walczak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026
Definition of undoing

Browse Nearby Words

destructible
destruction
destructions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of destruction for Spanish Speakers

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