destructive

adjective

de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce destructive (audio)
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
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.
And now, the American political divide has turned increasingly violent with political assassinations, assaults, Swatting, online threats, jackboot arrests, armed military in the city streets, and mutually destructive behavior. Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025 His freedom was seen as part of a broader effort to address destructive federal policies, including the Indian boarding-school system, which Peltier was subjected to. Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025 While destructive scanning is a common practice among smaller-scale operations, Anthropic's approach was somewhat unusual due to its massive scale. ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025 One big exception is tomato hornworms and cabbage loopers, both destructive pests targeting tomatoes and brassicas. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for destructive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destructive was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

destructive

adjective
de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce destructive (audio)
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively adverb
destructiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on destructive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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