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
Relevance
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
At 60th Place near Cleveland Street, where there is destruction in every direction, dumpsters are spread out throughout the town, with debris still piled up along roadsides.
—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
On Facebook, the Office of Constable Terry Allbritton shared photos showing the destruction to the home.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
The water vole was nearly wiped out in Britain by the 1990s via habitat destruction and the introduction of American minks (Neogale vison).
—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
22 June 2026
Trump has promised dozens of times now that a final deal is coming, alternating that with threats of total destruction.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
On Facebook, the Office of Constable Terry Allbritton shared photos showing the destruction to the home.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
The water vole was nearly wiped out in Britain by the 1990s via habitat destruction and the introduction of American minks (Neogale vison).
—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
22 June 2026
Trump has promised dozens of times now that a final deal is coming, alternating that with threats of total destruction.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destruction
Noun
-
Following years of economic devastation and underinvestment in public services, the country’s infrastructure – from hospitals to electricity and water – is ill-equipped to deal with a crisis like this.
-
And then there's water damage and the devastation caused by flooding.
Noun
-
That would be his downfall on Monday, too, hitting his putt a little too hard.
-
The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
Noun
-
The beloved southern elephant seal, Neil the Seal, is back in Tasmania, causing havoc yet again and garnering fans through his antics.
-
Those same issues have ships and planes on high alert in the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict across the region is causing havoc for civilian applications like ride-hailing and food delivery.
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.
-
The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom.
Noun
-
The Beck Recreation Center closed last summer, and part of the building is scheduled for demolition.
-
And the proposal could be subject to the city’s demolition review process for historic buildings through the Historic Preservation Commission, which could vote to delay demolition for up to 45 days.
Noun
-
Benning's cause of death was a fatal combination of a large amount of cocaine dissolved in alcohol, medical examiners testified during Taylor's trial.
-
According to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner death investigation report obtained by USA TODAY on July 1, Ransone's brother told an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department that the actor had a history of suicidal ideation.
Noun
-
With ruthless competitors who will stop at nothing to dethrone and destroy them, the Whitlocks are a blue-collar dynasty at the edge of extinction – and the old king is fighting to hold onto the crown.
-
Companies should think of the SaaSpocalypse as an urgent wake-up call, treating this moment as an opportunity for evolution rather than an extinction event.
Noun
-
However, that fire would ultimately be Sean's undoing.
-
Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.
Cite this Entry
“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
