constructive

[ kuhn-struhk-tiv ]

/ kənˈstrʌk tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constructive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement (opposed to destructive): constructive criticism.

of, relating to, or of the nature of construction; structural.

deduced by inference or interpretation; inferential: constructive permission.

Law. denoting an act or condition not directly expressed but inferred from other acts or conditions.

Nearby words

construction, construction loan, construction paper, constructional homonymity, constructionist, constructive, constructive dismissal, constructive interference, constructivism, constructor, construe

Origin of constructive

1670–80; < Medieval Latin constrūctīvus, equivalent to Latin constrūct(us) (see construct) + īvus -ive

SYNONYMS FOR constructive

1 productive, helpful, handy, useful.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constructive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

con·struc·tive·ly, adverbcon·struc·tive·ness, nounnon·con·struc·tive, adjectivenon·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb

non·con·struc·tive·ness, nounqua·si-con·struc·tive, adjectivequa·si-con·struc·tive·ly, adverbun·con·struc·tive, adjectiveun·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for constructive

Reformers understood that constructive societal evolution was the antidote to socialist revolution.
From The Square Deal to The New Deal: The Overlapping Political Identities of TR and FDR|John Avlon|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Monday, European Union countries condemned the air strikes and called for a ceasefire and “constructive dialogue.”
Libya’s Proxy Apocalypse|Jamie Dettmer|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We have since begun a constructive dialogue with the committee on the redactions,” Price said.
White House Must Decide Who Will Be Named in the CIA ‘Torture Report’|Josh Rogin, Eli Lake|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So that they can return and approach the world—and approach women—with constructive confidence and calm.
Billie Holiday, Barack Obama, and the Pain of Black Women|Joshua DuBois|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“Our interaction with U.S. special forces has been constructive,” she said.
Obama Is Betting His Whole Afghan Plan on These Commandos|Kimberly Dozier|May 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Foiled for the time being in his constructive policy, Borrow turned his attention to one of destruction.
The Life of George Borrow|Herbert Jenkins
For three generations now our family have pursued a constructive policy.
Sonnie-Boy's People|James B. Connolly
Their findings and recommendations are the basis for orders and constructive activities that never relax their vigilance.
Huts in Hell|Daniel A. Poling
To this constructive point of view I have been able, thus far, to refer only incidentally.
Following the Color Line|Ray Stannard Baker
With the latter the child can early be trained into habits of constructive play, rather than destructive play.
Christmas-Tide|Elizabeth Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for constructive

constructive

/ (kənˈstrʌktɪv) /

adjective

serving to build or improve; positiveconstructive criticism

law deduced by inference or construction; not expressed but inferred

law having a deemed legal effectconstructive notice

another word for structural

Derived Forms

constructively, adverbconstructiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012