destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
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 on the Web
In Altadena, the fires were so destructive that customers have been slow to return to Lake Avenue businesses because so much of its community went up in flames in the January wildfires.
—
Pat Maio, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
While avalanche danger is beginning to decrease in some areas, experts warn that large and destructive slides remain possible—especially in areas with deeper snow.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
And while many are extinct or dormant, two of them, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, are still capable of destructive and deadly eruptions.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Heifler was charged with ferdeal counts of unlawful possession of a destructive devices and unlawful making of destructive devices, officials said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Pat Maio, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
While avalanche danger is beginning to decrease in some areas, experts warn that large and destructive slides remain possible—especially in areas with deeper snow.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
And while many are extinct or dormant, two of them, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, are still capable of destructive and deadly eruptions.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Heifler was charged with ferdeal counts of unlawful possession of a destructive devices and unlawful making of destructive devices, officials said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
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