Definition of destructive
1 : causing destruction : ruinous destructive storm
2 : designed or tending to hurt or destroy destructive criticism
destructively
adverbdestructiveness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of destructive in a Sentence
It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.
She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties.
The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.
Recent Examples of destructive from the Web
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There has never in US history been such a destructive megalomaniac in the WH.
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Secretary DeVos' destructive policies on debt collection remain in place.
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Exposure to the sun also turns on the skin’s natural antioxidant network, which deactivates highly destructive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals; if left unchecked, these can cause cellular damage and oxidative stress within the skin.
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Left unchecked, this growing crypto-mania could be hugely destructive to one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century.
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Bruce has been in the closet so long that his frustrations are coming out in destructive ways.
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KV coach Brian Flynn praised the calming influence of Adams, also a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the Environmental Club and student council.
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Indianapolis 500 pole-sitter Scott Dixon was knocked out of the annual race Sunday after a destructive and terrifying crash.
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These collisions are completely destructive, with entire planets vaporizing, melting into molten material, and mixing with each other.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destructive'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
15th Century
First Known Use of destructive
15th century
DESTRUCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners
destructive
playDefinition of destructive for English Language Learners
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: causing a very large amount of damage : causing destruction or harm
DESTRUCTIVE Defined for Kids
destructive
playDefinition of destructive for Students
1 : causing great damage or ruin a destructive storm
2 : not positive or helpful destructive criticism
Learn More about destructive
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See words that rhyme with destructive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for destructive Spanish Central: Translation of destructive Nglish: Translation of destructive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of destructive for Arabic speakers
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