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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destruction
The result was the destruction of the Whig Party, while the Democratic Party sustained crippling losses in the North in the mid-term elections.
—
Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The destruction of central heating pipes can affect an entire neighborhood.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Chimps are listed as an endangered species suffering from habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
It is endangered, largely due to habitat destruction.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The destruction of central heating pipes can affect an entire neighborhood.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Chimps are listed as an endangered species suffering from habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
It is endangered, largely due to habitat destruction.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destruction
Noun
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The Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi and the Sudanese American poet Safia Elhillo described the devastation of their homelands.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The conflict that ended in 1992 resulted in the deaths of 75,000 civilians, forced more than a million Salvadorans to flee the country and caused severe economic devastation for those who remained.—
Yamlek Mojica,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Hadder says the department’s downfall essentially hinged on Sawyer’s order.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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And then came the third quarter, the Heat’s period of downfall this season, with Boston finding its 3-point game and leaving it tied 74-74 going into the fourth — a 36-15 scoring edge in the period.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ebba Andersson tumbled and snapped the ski binding in the second leg, giving Norway the advantage on a day where warm weather caused slushy corners that created havoc in the early stages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Three minutes of comedy chasing and evasive action ensued before play resumed, only for the four-legged fiend to return to wreak more havoc than the home attack had previously shown.—
Craig Chisnall,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.—
Nathan Smith,
Time,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The site is slated for demolition and redevelopment into Mae Street Village.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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The gift from Zuckerberg and Meta will fund abatement, demolition, and initial construction of the campus, enabling new student housing alongside new academic spaces, including STEM facilities and an AI center.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Through Van Der Beek’s wistful performance, viewers were given a window through which to grapple with betrayal, death, heartbreak and a litany of bad decisions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Little has been released about the shooting from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, which did not publicly acknowledge the killing for more than 12 hours after Anthony Anderson’s death.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For people accustomed to the idea that nature was eternal and unchanging, Holmes observes, the idea of extinction was profoundly troubling.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Starship launches from Starbase Musk has often spoken about his vision of colonizing other worlds in our solar system to ensure humanity's survival in the event of an extinction-level even on Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Memphis’ Ja Morant and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson represent two more All-Star level players who can be had at a steep discount, largely because of their own undoing with off-court drama impacting on-court performance.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
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Jealousy proves Stiller’s undoing.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destruction. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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