constructive

play

adjective con·struc·tive \ kən-ˈstrək-tiv \

Definition of constructive

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

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constructively

adverb

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constructiveness

noun

See constructive defined for English-language learners

See constructive defined for kids

Examples of constructive in a Sentence

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 of constructive from the Web

A recent college grad has raised thousands of dollars for constructive surgery after opening about about a condition that left her born without many of her reproductive organs, including a vagina.

— lily herman, Allure, "Woman Born Without Vagina Fundraising for Surgery," 18 Aug. 2017
As for the shady review, Kim says Jeffree's comments were actually constructive.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "[UPDATED] Kim Kardashian Apologizes for Telling Fans to "Get Over" Jeffree Star's Racist Comments," 15 Aug. 2017
The school also will promote working groups centered on constructive conflict themes that faculty and students can affiliate with.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Kent State University creates School of Peace and Conflict Studies," 15 Aug. 2017
Someone with executive experience and moral character who knows the world around him and works to make a constructive contribution to it with the resources at his disposal.

— kathryn jean lopez, National Review, "You, Too, Can Help Save Iraqi Christians," 7 Aug. 2017
Once the frenzy of deadline rumors and dumb trade proposals passes in late July, baseball Twitter will do something constructive.

— SI.com, "Baseball Twitter will buy the Marlins and find Jeffrey Loria a new home," 19 July 2017
That sounds like a constructive idea, grounded in principle.

— jonah goldberg, National Review, "Is Rand Paul’s Health-Care Stance Really Based on Principle?," 19 July 2017
The teen has found constructive outlets for her emotion in music, walking and talking to others, said Heidi Knoerzer, a developmental disability professional who works with Scarlet.

— marisa kwiatkowski, Indianapolis Star, "'Why am I still here': Teen struggles while waiting for adoptive family," 9 July 2017
Any constructive policy depends on the trust and cooperation of American allies in Asia, but Trump has sowed unprecedented doubt about American commitments.

— daniel kurtz-phelan, Daily Intelligencer, "How Trump Made the Nearly Impossible North Korea Problem Even Worse," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constructive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of constructive

circa 1680

constructive Synonyms

Synonyms

formative, productive

Antonyms

nonconstructive, nonproductive, unproductive

Related Words

causal, creative; consequential, influential

CONSTRUCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

constructive

play

adjective

Definition of constructive for English Language Learners

: helping to develop or improve something : helpful to someone instead of upsetting and negative

CONSTRUCTIVE Defined for Kids

constructive

play

adjective con·struc·tive \ kən-ˈstrək-tiv \

Definition of constructive for Students

:helping to develop or improve something

constructive criticism

—

constructively

adverb

Law Dictionary

constructive

play

adjective con·struc·tive \ kən-ˈstrək-tiv \

legal Definition of constructive

: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

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constructively

adverb

Learn More about constructive

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CONSTRUCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

constructive

Definition of constructive for English Language Learners

CONSTRUCTIVE Defined for Kids

constructive

Definition of constructive for Students

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constructive

legal Definition of constructive

constructively

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