deconstruction

noun

de·​con·​struc·​tion ˌdē-kən-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: a philosophical or critical method which asserts that meanings, metaphysical constructs, and hierarchical oppositions (as between key terms in a philosophical or literary work) are always rendered unstable by their dependence on ultimately arbitrary signifiers

also : an instance of the use of this method

a deconstruction of the nature–culture opposition in Rousseau's work

2

: the analytic examination of something (such as a theory) often in order to reveal its inadequacy

Did you know?

Deconstruction doesn't actually mean "demolition;" instead it means "breaking down" or analyzing something (especially the words in a work of fiction or nonfiction) to discover its true significance, which is supposedly almost never exactly what the author intended. A feminist may deconstruct an old novel to show how even an innocent-seeming story somehow depends on the oppression of women. A new western may deconstruct the myths of the old West and show lawmen as vicious and criminals as flawed but decent. Table manners, The Sound of Music, and cosmetics ads have all been the subjects of deconstructionist analysis. Of course, not everyone agrees with deconstructionist interpretations, and some people reject the whole idea of deconstruction, but most of us have run into it by now even if we didn't realize it.

Synonyms

• analysis
• anatomizing
• anatomy
• assay
• breakdown
• dissection

Examples of deconstruction in a Sentence

a lengthy deconstruction of the president's speech by a panel of pundits

Recent Examples on the Web

Work Will Fragment—and Reconfigure Perhaps the most misunderstood impact of AI isn’t about job displacement, but job deconstruction. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

To environmental activists, the systematic deconstruction of America’s coal industry was a beautiful thing, a way to meet emissions goals set under the Paris Climate Accords. —David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Chekhov plays lend themselves to almost infinite variations and approaches, and Andrews’s is relatively mild compared to some radical deconstructions that mauled Chekhov beyond instant recognition. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

In the United States, Portland, Oregon, was the first city to require some deconstruction of homes in 2016, and several cities have followed suit. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French déconstruction, from dé- de- + construction

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deconstruction

• coproduction
• introduction
• liposuction
• misconstruction
• postproduction
• preconstruction
• preproduction
• reconstruction
• reproduction
• abduction
• adduction
• conduction