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
The storm brought destructive coastal erosion and storm surge to the North Carolina Outer Banks and rough surf and rip currents along the East Coast.
—
Daniel Peck, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2025
The destructive storm prompted the president to declare a state of emergency Saturday, giving him authority to swiftly deploy the military and police to help speed up rescue and health operations.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Unlike meteorites, which endure the destructive inferno of atmospheric entry, Bennu’s materials arrived on Earth untouched.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
California’s five most destructive fires from 2017 to 2020 destroyed 22,500 homes and, as of this year, only 38% have been rebuilt.
—Joy Chen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Daniel Peck, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2025
The destructive storm prompted the president to declare a state of emergency Saturday, giving him authority to swiftly deploy the military and police to help speed up rescue and health operations.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Unlike meteorites, which endure the destructive inferno of atmospheric entry, Bennu’s materials arrived on Earth untouched.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
California’s five most destructive fires from 2017 to 2020 destroyed 22,500 homes and, as of this year, only 38% have been rebuilt.
—Joy Chen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 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 2 Dec. 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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