destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

scenes of death and destruction

the destruction of their careers

2

: the action or process of destroying something

the destruction of the building

3

: a destroying agency

Alcohol will be his destruction.

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• demolition
• desolation
• devastation
• extermination
• extinction
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage
• wreckage

Examples of destruction in a Sentence

War results in death and widespread destruction.

We are trying to save the building from destruction.

Recent Examples on the Web

But amid the stories of destruction and despair, the film also promises a vision of a better world, of a future where Israelis and Palestinians, like the directors of this documentary, can work together towards justice and freedom. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024

Traditional airline economic modeling tells us that cost increases at this scale will lead to unprecedented demand destruction. —Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Tornado-spawning thunderstorms leave a path of destruction across Oklahoma. —Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

In 2015 and 2016, battles between rebels and Assad’s forces in the Syrian city of Homs led to the destruction of captagon facilities there; some production briefly returned to Lebanon. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destruccioun, from Anglo-French destruction, from Latin destruction-, destructio, from destruere — see destroy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destruction

• seed/seeds of one's own destruction
• self-destruction
• weapon of mass destruction
• weapons of mass destruction

Kids Definition

destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

2

: the action or process of destroying something