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
These impacts have been felt profoundly with more destructive fires, intense water shortages and flooding in California as well as in many other parts of the world.
—
Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
He was charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Terrorists, Conspiracy to manufacture unregistered destructive devices and aiding and abetting the manufacture of unregistered destructive devices.
—Scott MacFarlane 6, CBS News, 6 July 2025
Keep your eye out for the iris borer, the most destructive insect pest of iris.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
In some regions, particularly those hit hard by COVID-19 and economic downturns, substance abuse has become a common though destructive coping mechanism.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
He was charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Terrorists, Conspiracy to manufacture unregistered destructive devices and aiding and abetting the manufacture of unregistered destructive devices.
—Scott MacFarlane 6, CBS News, 6 July 2025
Keep your eye out for the iris borer, the most destructive insect pest of iris.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
In some regions, particularly those hit hard by COVID-19 and economic downturns, substance abuse has become a common though destructive coping mechanism.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 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 23 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share