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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
War results in death and widespread destruction. We are trying to save the building from destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, Fox and Croft Jr. are mounting what their lawyers have vowed will be a vigorous appeal as both men face up to life in prison after a jury convicted them of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction. 
Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2022 This isn't just a cute scaly petnapping, but rather the theft of a weapon of mass destruction, and Otto assembles a battalion of soldiers to get the egg back. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2022 The last one in 2015 ended without an agreement because of serious differences over establishing a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. Edith M. Lederer, ajc, 26 Aug. 2022 This time, the jury found Fox and Croft guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction. Harold Maass, The Week, 24 Aug. 2022 Zander says fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction. Madison Scarpino, Fox News, 24 Aug. 2022 Both men were convicted of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Mitch Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 When the March 2003 invasion quickly toppled Hussein’s regime, a Pentagon team fanned out across Iraq but failed to find any sign of the weapons of mass destruction. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Amid growing questions over the unfolding war in Iraq, Bush and his allies wanted to bolster their previous claims that Iraq's regime had looked to acquire weapons of mass destruction in Africa. Mike Levine, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2022 This isn't just a cute scaly petnapping, but rather the theft of a weapon of mass destruction, and Otto assembles a battalion of soldiers to get the egg back. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2022 The last one in 2015 ended without an agreement because of serious differences over establishing a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. Edith M. Lederer, ajc, 26 Aug. 2022 This time, the jury found Fox and Croft guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction. Harold Maass, The Week, 24 Aug. 2022 Zander says fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction. Madison Scarpino, Fox News, 24 Aug. 2022 Both men were convicted of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Mitch Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 When the March 2003 invasion quickly toppled Hussein’s regime, a Pentagon team fanned out across Iraq but failed to find any sign of the weapons of mass destruction. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Amid growing questions over the unfolding war in Iraq, Bush and his allies wanted to bolster their previous claims that Iraq's regime had looked to acquire weapons of mass destruction in Africa. Mike Levine, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
destruction
noun
de·struc·tion di-ˈstrək-shən
1
: the act or process of killing, ruining, or putting an end to something
Destruction of the old building is underway.
2
: the state or fact of being killed, ruined, or brought to an end Destruction of the animal's habitat nearly caused its extinction.
destruction
noun
1
as in devastation
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless the violent storm resulted in the destruction of their tree house Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- devastation
- demolition
- havoc
- extinction
- extermination
- annihilation
- loss
- obliteration
- decimation
- ruination
- ruin
- demolishment
- wastage
- wreckage
- collapse
- desolation
- disintegration
- slaughter
- depredation
- despoliation
- massacre
- dissolution
- mincemeat
- killing
- execution
- despoilment
- assassination
- breakup
- dismantlement
- eradication
- effacement
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- construction
- building
- saving
- salvation
- rescue
- preservation
- erection
- protection
- restoration
- raising
- salvage
- conservation
- reconstruction
- reclamation
- remodeling
- renovation
- re-creation
- refurbishment
- regeneracy
2
as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life alcohol will be her destruction if we don't intervene to help her Synonyms & Similar Words
- downfall
- ruination
- death
- undoing
- ruin
- curse
- kiss of death
- torment
- bane
- tragic flaw
- Achilles' heel