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

Synonyms

• annihilatory
• calamitous
• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• devastating
• devastative
• disastrous
• ruinous

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

Following through on the threat would be enormously destructive to the U.S. economy and would hit politicians’ beloved automotive sector especially hard, as auto parts and finished cars traverse both borders by the thousands each day. —The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024

His rigidity and bravado would be destructive to the agriculture, construction, and industrial sectors which rely on hard-working, productive immigrants. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

The virus was particularly destructive in 2022, causing the most damage to the poultry industry since 2014-2015. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 25 Nov. 2024

The end result is incompetence that is not only destructive but deadly for New Yorkers. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destructive

• destructive distillation
• self-destructive

Kids 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