destructive
[dih-struhk-tiv]
- 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.
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Origin of destructive
1480–90; < Middle French < Late Latin dēstructīvus, equivalent to Latin dēstruct(us) (see destruction) + -īvus -ive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for destructive on Thesaurus.com1. ruinous, deleterious. 2. unfavorable, adverse, negative.
Antonyms
1. creative. 2. constructive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for destructiveness
Contemporary Examples
But the pacification of Iraq would come without addressing Suleimani or his destructiveness.
Iran’s Top Spy Is the Modern-Day Karla, John Le Carré’s Villainous MastermindMichael Weiss
July 2, 2014
Such efforts promise to limit both the duration and destructiveness of combat.
Those who carry out this pillage probably believe they can outrun their own destructiveness.
Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco Chronicle Mining Catastrophes in West VirginiaChris Hedges, Joe Sacco
June 14, 2012
Historical Examples
The Moravians' records abound in stories of their destructiveness.
A Labrador DoctorWilfred Thomason Grenfell
But he told luridly of the thing that had come ashore, and of its destructiveness.
MoraleMurray Leinster
Here they had an opportunity of seeing the destructiveness of this animal.
Three Boys in the Wild North LandEgerton Ryerson Young
Rats in the cellar were nothing to be compared to this boy for destructiveness in pies.
Being a BoyCharles Dudley Warner
But see, through him, and in him, the destructiveness of Christian morals.
Philosophy and The Social ProblemWill Durant
destructive
- (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; negativedestructive criticism Compare constructive (def. 1)
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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
Word Origin and History for destructiveness
destructive
adj.
late 15c., from Old French destructif (14c.), from Late Latin destructivus, from destruct-, past participle stem of Latin destruere (see destroy).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper