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 storms brought destructive heavy rainfall and flash floods to the nation’s Sao Vicente island.
—
Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Wisconsin's miserable summer weather is also affecting our mental health, experts say
Few things are as destructive as a flood.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Success is measured not just by finding love, but by personal growth and breaking destructive dating habits.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2025
With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Wisconsin's miserable summer weather is also affecting our mental health, experts say
Few things are as destructive as a flood.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Success is measured not just by finding love, but by personal growth and breaking destructive dating habits.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2025
With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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