destructive

[dih-struhk-tiv]

adjective

1. tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of orto ).

   a very destructive windstorm.

   Synonyms: deleterious, ruinous
   Antonyms: creative

2. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (constructive ).

   destructive criticism.

   Synonyms: negative, adverse, unfavorable
   Antonyms: constructive

destructive

/ dɪˈstrʌktɪv, ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)

2. intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative Compare constructive

   destructive criticism

Other Word Forms

• destructively adverb
• destructiveness noun
• destructivity noun
• interdestructive adjective
• interdestructively adverb
• interdestructiveness noun
• nondestructive adjective
• nondestructively adverb
• nondestructiveness noun
• overdestructive adjective
• overdestructively adverb
• overdestructiveness noun
• semidestructive adjective
• undestructive adjective
• undestructively adverb
• undestructiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of destructive¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin dēstructīvus, from Latin dēstruct(us) “demolished, torn down” ( destruction ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Democrats, it seems, have convinced themselves they have to be more reasonable precisely because the Republicans are so unreasonable, irresponsible and destructive.

From Salon

The play, which is having its Los Angeles premiere at Pasadena Playhouse, seems like it could have been commissioned to skewer this destructive, benighted and completely mortifying anti-science moment.

From Los Angeles Times

It has been one of its recurring features, not an aberration but a persistent force, destructive and yet oddly creative, producing new boundaries and new regimes.

From Salon

Ranked 10th in the world, any shock result was likely to again come through more physical dominance and a destructive start by South Africa's forwards was rewarded when Latsha crossed close to the tryline.

From BBC

But in an array of ways, he embodied the popular perception that skating away from destructive, self-serving behavior is something we should expect rich white boys to do.

From Salon

Related Words

• calamitous 
• cataclysmic 
• catastrophic 
• damaging 
• deadly 
• detrimental 
• disastrous 
• fatal 
• harmful 
• hurtful 
• lethal 
• pernicious 
• ruinous 
• suicidal 
• toxic