destructive
tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of or to): a very destructive windstorm.
tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive): destructive criticism.
Origin of destructive
1Other words for destructive
Opposites for destructive
Other words from destructive
- de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
- de·struc·tive·ness, de·struc·tiv·i·ty [dee-struhk-tiv-i-tee], /ˌdi strʌkˈtɪv ɪ ti/, noun
- in·ter·de·struc·tive, adjective
- in·ter·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
- in·ter·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
- non·de·struc·tive, adjective
- non·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
- non·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
- o·ver·de·struc·tive, adjective
- o·ver·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
- o·ver·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
- sem·i·de·struc·tive, adjective
- un·de·struc·tive, adjective
- un·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
- un·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
Words Nearby destructive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use destructive in a sentence
Most such flares develop when two neutron stars collide or there is some other destructive cosmic event.
Exploding neutron star proves to be energy standout of the cosmos | Lisa Grossman | February 12, 2021 | Science News For StudentsI was so angry at the time, and I knew I needed to channel these self-destructive qualities and turn that negative into a positive.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace on the Capitol insurrection: ‘We need to rebuild our party’ | KK Ottesen | February 9, 2021 | Washington PostHowever, as you mentioned, there are already four deaths in Washington of which the situation is less violent and destructive than that in Hong Kong.
Pro-China propaganda campaign exploits U.S. divisions in videos emphasizing Capitol attack | Craig Timberg, Eva Dou | February 4, 2021 | Washington PostSo it isn’t surprising that too many are now grappling with serious depression, becoming self-destructive, or losing motivation for school.
Dear Struggling Parents, It's Not Just You. This Is Hard | Susanna Schrobsdorff | January 31, 2021 | TimeWe are learning the hard way about their destructive effects on society and democracy.
'We Need a Fundamental Reset.' Shoshana Zuboff on Building an Internet That Lets Democracy Flourish | Billy Perrigo | January 22, 2021 | Time
Anger often manifests in withholders as another self-destructive but more socially acceptable feeling or behavior, like anxiety.
It has a presence, it remains potentially destructive, but all we can do is attempt to marshal it.
To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.
Exclusive: The Making of Reese Witherspoon’s Golden Globe-Nominated ‘Wild’ | Marlow Stern | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen we assign a primitive “not me” status to another individual or social group, it can—and does—take us down a destructive path.
This structure is particularly destructive for children in low-income families.
A tremendous tornado passed over the city of Natchez, very destructive to life and property.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellA destructive tornado swept over a portion of Lapeer county, Michigan.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe planter passes entire nights, provided with lights, clearing the buds just opening, of these destructive insects.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.There is another effect from hurricanes which is even more destructive to life than that caused by the direct action of the wind.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerBy that time, however, the Scots had completed another destructive raid.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
British Dictionary definitions for destructive
/ (dɪˈstrʌktɪv) /
(often postpositive and foll by of or to) causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative: destructive criticism Compare constructive (def. 1)
Derived forms of destructive
- destructively, adverb
- destructiveness or destructivity (ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ), 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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