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
Scientists have said that devastating wildfires will become more common in a warming world, and studies have shown that blazes will not only be more frequent, but also more destructive, as a result of climate change.
—
Denise Chow, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Saddam towered over Iraq’s political regime for nearly 30 years, plunging the country into multiple destructive wars, persecuting his own citizens and inflicting widespread trauma and suffering.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
Enid takes a direct hit from violent tornado A large and slow-moving destructive tornado tracked through Enid, Oklahoma, Thursday evening, triggering a rare tornado emergency — the National Weather Service’s most urgent type of tornado warning.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Both basil and marigolds have strong scents that are appealing to humans but are a deterrent for some of your garden's most destructive pests.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
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.
Denise Chow, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Saddam towered over Iraq’s political regime for nearly 30 years, plunging the country into multiple destructive wars, persecuting his own citizens and inflicting widespread trauma and suffering.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
Enid takes a direct hit from violent tornado A large and slow-moving destructive tornado tracked through Enid, Oklahoma, Thursday evening, triggering a rare tornado emergency — the National Weather Service’s most urgent type of tornado warning.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Both basil and marigolds have strong scents that are appealing to humans but are a deterrent for some of your garden's most destructive pests.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 28 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
