constructive

[ kuhn-struhk-tiv ]

/ kənˈstrʌk tɪv /

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See synonyms for: constructive / constructively on Thesaurus.com

adjective

helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement (opposed to destructive): constructive criticism.

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

deduced by inference or interpretation; inferential: constructive permission.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR constructive

1 productive, helpful, handy, useful.

See synonyms for constructive on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of constructive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM constructive

con·struc·tive·ly, adverbcon·struc·tive·ness, nounnon·con·struc·tive, adjectivenon·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb

non·con·struc·tive·ness, nounqua·si-con·struc·tive, adjectivequa·si-con·struc·tive·ly, adverbun·con·struc·tive, adjectiveun·con·struc·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use constructive in a sentence

Between the pandemic and the election — and in an era when the media and other forms of expertise are constantly being challenged in both constructive and unconstructive ways — there’s not a lot to feel certain about.
The Polls Weren’t Great. But That’s Pretty Normal.|Nate Silver (nrsilver@fivethirtyeight.com)|November 11, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Government investments in education and homeownership, for example, can have constructive ripple effects in an economy that depends so fundamentally on consumer spending.
Veterans Day is a time to consider how to reward front-line covid-19 workers|James Grossman, Laura McEnaney|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
Experts say they see far more “constructive evictions” — cases in which people leave because they are pressured over missed rent and don’t know their rights.
Management company owned by Jared Kushner files to evict hundreds of families as moratoriums expire|Jonathan O'Connell, Aaron Gregg, Anu Narayanswamy|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
Another email began with “Oy vey,” followed by “a little vent — with genuinely constructive thoughts.”
Drone Test Flight Moved Out of San Diego Following Safety Concerns|Jesse Marx|October 26, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Fran and her team provided examples of each kind of comment, to help employees know how to keep the conversation constructive.
How the World’s Best Workplaces have led the way in a year unlike any other|lbelanger225|October 13, 2020|Fortune
Indeed, the Republicans reaction to Immelt's appointment was both unconstructive and intemperate.
Obama's Entrepreneur Problem|Doug Schoen|January 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bush, who agreed to the summit during a Camp David meeting with Sarkozy, has already started to make unconstructive noises.
How The G7 Lost Its Mojo|David Rothkopf|October 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for constructive

constructive

/ (kənˈstrʌktɪv) /

adjective

serving to build or improve; positiveconstructive criticism

law deduced by inference or construction; not expressed but inferred

law having a deemed legal effectconstructive notice

another word for structural

Derived forms of constructive

constructively, adverbconstructiveness, 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

constructive

OTHER WORDS FOR constructive

Origin of constructive

OTHER WORDS FROM constructive

Words related to constructive

How to use constructive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for constructive

Derived forms of constructive