destruction
16 synonyms and 7 antonyms for destruction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of destroying something, or the state of having been destroyed.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use destruction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin destructio, from destruere, "to destroy".
Full origin of destruction →Frequently asked questions
What does “destruction” mean?
The word “destruction” means the act of destroying something, or the state of having been destroyed. In plain terms, the act, or the aftermath, of something being wiped out.
How do you pronounce “destruction”?
“Destruction” is pronounced dihs-TRUHK-shuhn (/dɪsˈtɹʌkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “destruction” in a sentence?
Here is “destruction” used in a sentence: “The hurricane left a trail of destruction along the coast.”
What is another word for “destruction”?
Words with a similar meaning to “destruction” include annihilation, demolition, elimination, eradication, extermination and extinguishment.
What is the opposite of “destruction”?
The opposite of “destruction” — its antonyms — are construction, creation, building, making and production.
What part of speech is “destruction”?
“Destruction” is a noun.
Where does the word “destruction” come from?
The word “destruction” comes from Latin. From Latin destructio, from destruere, "to destroy".
Is “destruction” a common word?
“Destruction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between destruction and demolition?
"Demolition" is deliberate, usually controlled destruction, most often of buildings and other structures. "Destruction" is the broader term for the act of destroying anything, whether deliberate or accidental, as in "the destruction caused by the storm."
What is the difference between destruction and devastation?
"Destruction" refers to the act of destroying something or the state of having been destroyed. "Devastation" emphasises the scale of the ruin and its impact, describing widespread, overwhelming damage: a single document can suffer destruction, but a whole region suffers devastation.
What is the verb form of destruction?
The verb is "destroy," as in "the fire destroyed the warehouse." The related adjective is "destructive," describing something that causes destruction, and a "destroyer" is a person or thing that destroys.