deconstruct
verb
de·con·struct
ˌdē-kən-ˈstrəkt 
deconstructed; deconstructing; deconstructs
1
: to examine (something, such as a work of literature) using the methods of deconstruction
2
: to take apart or examine (something) in order to reveal the basis or composition often with the intention of exposing biases, flaws, or inconsistencies
deconstruct the myths of both the left and the right—
Wayne Karlin
Wayne Karlin3
: to adapt or separate the elements of for use in an ironic or radically new way
uses his masterly tailoring skills to deconstruct the classics—Vogue
VogueExamples of deconstruct in a Sentence
deconstructing the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes
Recent Examples on the Web
A lot of the social norms that used to keep marriages together have been deconstructed.
—Carlos Aguilar, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
Cyrus crafts songs that linger without losing their way, deconstructing and rebuilding the idea of how pop songs should be shaped.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 May 2025
According to plans that seem about as fluid as a lazy river, this is the last year of the race at Pimlico, as it is currently constructed … or deconstructed.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Whereas process mining works well for deconstructing larger systems and activities (e.g., invoice processing), task mining gives finance groups insights into how individual employees and teams switch between automated and manual tasks.
—Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deconstruct
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.
Carlos Aguilar, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
Cyrus crafts songs that linger without losing their way, deconstructing and rebuilding the idea of how pop songs should be shaped.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 May 2025
According to plans that seem about as fluid as a lazy river, this is the last year of the race at Pimlico, as it is currently constructed … or deconstructed.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Whereas process mining works well for deconstructing larger systems and activities (e.g., invoice processing), task mining gives finance groups insights into how individual employees and teams switch between automated and manual tasks.
—Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Deconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deconstruct. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share