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
Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules ended on a broken note, with most of the cast divided amid Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval’s destructive split that arose after Sandoval had an affair with their friend and fellow former co-star Rachel Leviss.
—
Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Common signs include destructive behavior (like chewing or destroying furniture), unwanted toileting, howling or barking.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
In addition, there are uncounted swarms of much smaller flecks that may be barely visible to the eye but pack a powerful destructive wallop moving at such speeds.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
However, her sweet high-society bubble bursts when her former flame eventually returns to Wuthering Heights and the pair rekindle their obsessive and destructive romance.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Common signs include destructive behavior (like chewing or destroying furniture), unwanted toileting, howling or barking.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
In addition, there are uncounted swarms of much smaller flecks that may be barely visible to the eye but pack a powerful destructive wallop moving at such speeds.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
However, her sweet high-society bubble bursts when her former flame eventually returns to Wuthering Heights and the pair rekindle their obsessive and destructive romance.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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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