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
Like Crazy is a movie about how destructive an obsessive relationship can be, and because Samantha is the sane one in the ensemble, she’s doomed.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
In September, Typhoon Ragasa brought destructive winds and torrential rain to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China as the strongest storm in the region this year.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
But when the creature’s caretaking rules are broken, the Mogwai multiplies into an array of destructive green killer monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
New zinc-air design Instead of relying on lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co), both of which are expensive, scarce, and environmentally destructive to source, the scientists built an ultra-durable zinc-air battery that utilizes the oxygen from the air to produce energy.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
In September, Typhoon Ragasa brought destructive winds and torrential rain to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China as the strongest storm in the region this year.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
But when the creature’s caretaking rules are broken, the Mogwai multiplies into an array of destructive green killer monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
New zinc-air design Instead of relying on lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co), both of which are expensive, scarce, and environmentally destructive to source, the scientists built an ultra-durable zinc-air battery that utilizes the oxygen from the air to produce energy.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 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 12 Nov. 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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