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 destructive flooding ultimately killed at least 136 people across Central Texas, triggering widespread scrutiny of emergency preparedness and warning systems.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Beal was arrested, then released, then arrested again Two days after the explosion, Beal was arrested on suspicion of possessing an unregistered destructive device.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Enough to land son in FBI custody, cuffed to an endlessly destructive relationship.
—Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
The story follows an all-new custom character — an Earth Directorate agent — tasked with uncovering what's causing destructive rifts that are spreading across the galaxy.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Beal was arrested, then released, then arrested again Two days after the explosion, Beal was arrested on suspicion of possessing an unregistered destructive device.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Enough to land son in FBI custody, cuffed to an endlessly destructive relationship.
—Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
The story follows an all-new custom character — an Earth Directorate agent — tasked with uncovering what's causing destructive rifts that are spreading across the galaxy.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 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 Jan. 2026.
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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