constructive

[ kuhn-struhk-tiv ]

See 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.

Origin of constructive

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

Other words for constructive

1	productive, helpful, handy, useful

See synonyms for constructive on Thesaurus.com

Other words from constructive

con·struc·tive·ly, adverb
con·struc·tive·ness, noun
non·con·struc·tive, adjective
non·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb
non·con·struc·tive·ness, noun
qua·si-con·struc·tive, adjective
qua·si-con·struc·tive·ly, adverb
un·con·struc·tive, adjective
un·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use constructive in a sentence

constructive criticism is different from people just being dicks, and I love constructive criticism.
Andrew Garfield on the Evils of Capitalism, the Hacking Scandal, and Criticism of ‘Spider-Man 2’ | Marlow Stern | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A few offered constructive criticism, which Joldeen accepted with the zeal of someone hungry to learn.
Geeking Out: Uganda’s Women are Creating the Next Generation of Girl Geeks | Mike Miesen | January 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He is justifiably critical of Israel, but he is not satisfied with constructive criticism; he insists on blanket condemnation.
Not a Useful Contribution | Daniel Gavron | October 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
While weighing your options, focus your infamous constructive criticism on those asking for it.
The Stars Predict Your Week | Starsky + Cox | August 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Civilization, indeed, may be defined as a constructive criticism of nature, and Huxley even called it a conspiracy against nature.
Damn! | Henry Louis Mencken

By constructive criticism and explanation he encourages the man so that he wants to do it better next time.
Manpower | Lincoln Clarke Andrews
I come in to visit your class in order to make constructive criticism, and to watch your physical progress.
The Art of Stage Dancing | Ned Wayburn
Of this delicate constructive criticism, we have as yet, it seems to me, almost no specimens in the English language.
My Wife and I | Harriet Beecher Stowe
This leads to constructive criticism of the scene by the children themselves rather than by the leader in charge.
The Dramatization of Bible Stories | Elizabeth Erwin Miller Lobingier

British Dictionary definitions for constructive

constructive

/ (kənˈstrʌktɪv) /

adjective

serving to build or improve; positive: constructive criticism
law deduced by inference or construction; not expressed but inferred

law having a deemed legal effect: constructive notice
another word for structural

Derived forms of constructive

constructively, adverb
constructiveness, 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

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