Definitions

destruction

[dih-struhk-shuhn] / dɪˈstrʌk ʃən /

NOUN

demolition, devastation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annihilation carnage elimination eradication extermination extinction loss massacre murder ruin slaughter

STRONG

abolition bane crushing dissolving downfall end extinguishing extirpation havoc invalidation liquidation overthrow ravaging ruination sacking shattering slaying subjugation subversion undoing wreckage wrecking

WEAK

abolishing assassinating crashing disintegrating disrupting invalidating subverting

Antonyms

STRONG

creation

WEAK

building construction improvement reparation restoration

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There’s no such thing as 4 million barrels a day of permanent demand destruction for oil,” he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

You may be able to see the seeds of its destruction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Labor strikes or the destruction of offshore oil rigs in war are also examples of Acts of Man.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The overall destruction, paired with the collapse of a major alliance, made 2025 a defining year for the game.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

It might be thought that Copernicus was responsible for the destruction of the correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing destruction

Biodiversity and Humans - Middle School and High School

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Biodiversity and Humans - Introductory

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"Fire and Ice"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!