constructive
adjective
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
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
If an issue needs to be addressed, offer constructive feedback instead of potentially offensive comments.
—
Sudhakar Ramakrishna, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The subsequent pullback and consolidation above this level suggest a constructive base for further upside.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The emission intensity is much stronger than the individual components due to constructive interference.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
When failures occur, my role as a manager is to provide constructive feedback, identify lessons learned and offer support or resources to help my team improve.
—Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constructive
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Sudhakar Ramakrishna, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The subsequent pullback and consolidation above this level suggest a constructive base for further upside.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The emission intensity is much stronger than the individual components due to constructive interference.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
When failures occur, my role as a manager is to provide constructive feedback, identify lessons learned and offer support or resources to help my team improve.
—Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 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 19 Jan. 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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