destructive

[ dih-struhk-tiv ]

adjective

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

   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

/ ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ; dɪˈstrʌktɪv /

adjective

1. oftenpostpositive and foll by of or to causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
2. See constructive
   intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative Compare constructive

   destructive criticism

Derived Forms

• deˈstructively, adverb
• deˈstructiveness, noun

Other Words From

• de·structive·ly adverb
• de·structive·ness de·struc·tiv·i·ty [dee-struhk-, tiv, -i-tee], 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

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

Most such flares develop when two neutron stars collide or there is some other destructive cosmic event.

From Science News For Students

I was so angry at the time, and I knew I needed to channel these self-destructive qualities and turn that negative into a positive.

From Washington Post

However, as you mentioned, there are already four deaths in Washington of which the situation is less violent and destructive than that in Hong Kong.

From Washington Post

So it isn’t surprising that too many are now grappling with serious depression, becoming self-destructive, or losing motivation for school.

From Time

We are learning the hard way about their destructive effects on society and democracy.

From Time

Anger often manifests in withholders as another self-destructive but more socially acceptable feeling or behavior, like anxiety.

From The Daily Beast

It has a presence, it remains potentially destructive, but all we can do is attempt to marshal it.

From The Daily Beast

To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.

From The Daily Beast

When we assign a primitive “not me” status to another individual or social group, it can—and does—take us down a destructive path.

From The Daily Beast

This structure is particularly destructive for children in low-income families.

From The Daily Beast

A tremendous tornado passed over the city of Natchez, very destructive to life and property.

From Project Gutenberg

A destructive tornado swept over a portion of Lapeer county, Michigan.

From Project Gutenberg

The planter passes entire nights, provided with lights, clearing the buds just opening, of these destructive insects.

From Project Gutenberg

There is another effect from hurricanes which is even more destructive to life than that caused by the direct action of the wind.

From Project Gutenberg

By that time, however, the Scots had completed another destructive raid.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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