destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce destruction (audio)
Synonyms of destruction
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 of destruction

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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
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.
One factor in the monarch decline is that milkweed is often uprooted as a weed, resulting in the destruction of the butterfly habitat. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 About 90% of the city was flooded ​following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, according to the White House. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 The suspect, 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano of Stafford, Virginia, has been charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage, and felony injury to a monument, court records show. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 An American screenwriter and showrunner, Guzikowski’s Raised by Wolves — following two androids raising human children following the destruction of the Earth in a great war — aired for two seasons. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destruction

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of destruction was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing destruction

Rhymes for destruction

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Browse Nearby Words

destructible
destruction
destructional
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Cite this Entry

“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destruction. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

destruction

noun
de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce destruction (audio)
1
: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin
2
: the action or process of destroying something
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