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
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Recent Examples of destruction
The destruction was too complete.
—
Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization committed to Israel’s destruction.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The scale of the destruction shocked and infuriated Cutright, according to a different source familiar with the incident who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
By enjoying the exciting spectacle, their fans have willingly become mindless followers—idol worshippers who are too misguided, and naive, to see they’re being led toward their own destruction.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization committed to Israel’s destruction.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The scale of the destruction shocked and infuriated Cutright, according to a different source familiar with the incident who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
By enjoying the exciting spectacle, their fans have willingly become mindless followers—idol worshippers who are too misguided, and naive, to see they’re being led toward their own destruction.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destruction
Noun
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Rosie O'Donnell recalled her devastation over how her friendship with Ellen DeGeneres fell apart more than 20 years ago.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, moves toward open Saudi diplomatic recognition of Israel were stopped by Hamas’ attack and the global backlash that followed Israel’s ongoing devastation of Gaza.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The real hoax is that the Democrats are now using these victims to deflect from their party's spectacular downfall.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Spirit’s downfall is partly the result of higher interest rates.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Turner made some key adjustments at the plate for this season to focus on creating havoc on the basepaths rather than hitting just for power.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Offensive line woes help Falcons cause havoc There were other issues leading to the problems that McCarthy faced, including injuries to backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To call it a Life Ruiner is not to say that a life of letters is necessarily ruination—but rather, to identify it as the book . . .—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Barcelona’s municipal government, which has been contending with a housing crisis that stems, in part, from the conversion of many apartments into Airbnbs, has yet to decide whether to allow the demolition, but Sagrada Família officials are resolute.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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But the situation quickly changed when the Department of Government Efficiency, led at the time by Elon Musk, began its demolition in the name of reducing waste in federal bureaucracy.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leaders from around the world mourned the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated at a Utah university Wednesday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement ‘This is war’ Several on the right have likened Kirk’s death to a declaration of war.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The story of the American lion is a tale of power, survival and eventual extinction.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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He was not involved in the latest research but has studied trends in insect extinction, noting that many insect genera have survived mass extinctions unscathed.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet the growth trajectory faces an undoing of its own making.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Frankenstein, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, centers on a brilliant but egotistical scientist (Isaac) who brings a creature (Elordi) to life in an experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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