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

Looting and destruction Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act after a generation of lobbying by educators and scientists who wanted to protect sites from commercial artifact looting and haphazard collecting by individuals. —Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Among others, the Hazara and Tajik minorities are significantly affected, raising the question of whether the destruction is in part linked to ethnicity. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

The destruction comes as Russia continued to advance into Ukrainian territory, while taking heavy casualties. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

His charges in that case also include burglary and destruction of evidence. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Dec. 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