constructive

[kuhn-struhk-tiv]

adjective

1. helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement (destructive ).

   constructive criticism.

   Synonyms: useful, handy, helpful, productive

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

3. deduced by inference or interpretation; inferential.

   constructive permission.

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

constructive

/ kənˈstrʌktɪv /

adjective

1. serving to build or improve; positive

   constructive criticism

2. law deduced by inference or construction; not expressed but inferred

3. law having a deemed legal effect

   constructive notice

4. another word for structural

Other Word Forms

• constructively adverb
• constructiveness noun
• nonconstructive adjective
• nonconstructively adverb
• nonconstructiveness noun
• quasi-constructive adjective
• quasi-constructively adverb
• unconstructive adjective
• unconstructively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of constructive¹

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

Example Sentences

"But everyone is trying to be constructive and find a solution," the source added.

Read more on BBC

“We await wider rollouts and evidence of commercialization before considering turning more constructive.”

Read more on Barron's

The setup remains constructive as long as shares hold above $97.

Read more on Barron's

We thus remain modestly defensive on stocks as growth and employment slow, awaiting clearer signs of sustained disinflation and improving macro momentum before turning constructive.

Read more on MarketWatch

He maintains a constructive view on the petroleum tanker market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• effective 
• positive 
• practical 
• productive 
• useful 
• valuable