destructive
Americanadjective
-
tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of orto ).
a very destructive windstorm.
- Synonyms:
- deleterious, ruinous
- Antonyms:
- creative
-
tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive).
destructive criticism.
- Synonyms:
- negative, adverse, unfavorable
- Antonyms:
- constructive
adjective
-
causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
-
intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative Compare constructive
destructive criticism
Other Word Forms
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destructivelyadverb
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destructivenessnoun
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destructivitynoun
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interdestructiveadjective
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interdestructivelyadverb
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interdestructivenessnoun
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nondestructiveadjective
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nondestructivelyadverb
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nondestructivenessnoun
-
overdestructiveadjective
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overdestructivelyadverb
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overdestructivenessnoun
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semidestructiveadjective
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undestructiveadjective
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undestructivelyadverb
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undestructivenessnoun
Etymology
Origin of destructive
First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin dēstructīvus, from Latin dēstruct(us) “demolished, torn down” ( see destruction) + -īvus -ive
Explanation
If something causes a lot of damage, you can talk about its destructive force or power. Something is destructive when it really messes things up. The word destructive comes from the Latin destruere which means literally to unbuild. In addition to describing a storm or battle, the word can be used for the things people say as well as do. If your mother's comments about your weight cause you to eat more bon bons, you could say that her remarks were destructive to your diet.
Vocabulary lists containing destructive
Latin Love, Vol I: struere
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Ocean Storm Alert!
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George's Key to the Universe, Lessons 1–5
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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.
"Destructive winds and storm surge and catastrophic flooding will worsen on Jamaica through the day and into tonight."
From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025
Destructive number eight Aseza Hele has been the Springbok Women's standout performer, bagging four tries in the opening two games.
From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025
Destructive behavior, he concluded, is discouraged by a sense of community and a feeling of social disapproval.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024
Destructive quantum interference plays a crucial role in this by eliminating the leaky electron flow from quantum tunneling through the transistor when it is supposed to be switched off.
From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2024
Destructive fires often happen from the thoughtlessness of persons leaving a poker in the grate, which afterward falls out and rolls on the floor or carpet.
From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
