con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
constructive fraud
2
: of or relating to construction or creation
3
: promoting improvement or development
constructive criticism
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Examples of constructive in a Sentence
Adjective
I tried to offer constructive criticism.
Your feedback was not very constructive.
The program helps people recently released from prison figure out how they can play a constructive role in society.
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 9 June 2026
The weekly stochastics have flashed an oversold upturn, a constructive development that often coincides with an intermediate-term low.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 June 2026
In my judgment, Republicans in Maryland have collectively done a catastrophically poor job playing the role of constructive opposition.
—Anirban Basu, Baltimore Sun, 5 June 2026
That interest led to the founding of Virtual World Society in 1993, a nonprofit organization created to encourage constructive applications for virtual worlds and experiential learning.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constructive
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Adjective
Xi was quoted in Chinese media as saying his nation would play a constructive role in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
The weekly stochastics have flashed an oversold upturn, a constructive development that often coincides with an intermediate-term low.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 June 2026
In my judgment, Republicans in Maryland have collectively done a catastrophically poor job playing the role of constructive opposition.
—Anirban Basu, Baltimore Sun, 5 June 2026
That interest led to the founding of Virtual World Society in 1993, a nonprofit organization created to encourage constructive applications for virtual worlds and experiential learning.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constructive
Cite this Entry
“Constructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constructive. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: helping to develop or improve something
constructive suggestions
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Legal Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: created by a legal fiction: as
a
: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation
b
: not actual but implied by operation of the law
made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a voluntary departure—Harvard Law Review
compare actual
Harvard Law Review
constructively
adverb
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