destructive

de·struc·tive

adjective \di-ˈstrək-tiv\

Definition of DESTRUCTIVE

1

: causing destruction : ruinous <destructive storm>

2

: designed or tending to hurt or destroy <destructive criticism>

— de·struc·tive·ly adverb

— de·struc·tive·ness noun

Examples of DESTRUCTIVE

1. It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.
2. She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties.
3. The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.

First Known Use of DESTRUCTIVE

15th century

Related to DESTRUCTIVE

Synonyms

annihilatory, calamitous, cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), devastating, devastative, disastrous, ruinous

Antonyms

nondestructive

Related Words

antibiotic, biocidal; baleful, deadly, deathly, fatal, fell, killer, lethal, mortal, murderous, pestilent, poisonous, virulent, vital; deleterious, detrimental, harmful, pernicious

Near Antonyms

preservative, protective; constructive, creative, formative, productive; harmless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive; ameliorative, helpful, useful; healthful, healthy, nonfatal, nonlethal, salubrious, wholesome

Rhymes with DESTRUCTIVE

conductive, constructive, deductive, inductive, instructive, obstructive, productive, reductive, seductive