destructive
[ dih-struhk-tiv ]
/ dɪˈstrʌk tɪv /
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adjective
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.
OTHER WORDS FOR destructive
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Origin of destructive
1480–90; <Middle French <Late Latin dēstructīvus, equivalent to Latin dēstruct(us) (see destruction) + -īvus-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM destructive
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How to use destructive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for destructive
destructive
/ (dɪˈstrʌktɪv) /
adjective
(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)
Derived forms of destructive
destructively, adverbdestructiveness or destructivity (ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ), nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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