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
Back in the mid-1980s, what started in Hong Kong reverberated around the world, as Woo — who was then stuck at the lowest point of his career — elevated action to art, finding poetry in the medium’s most destructive genre.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
In contrast, the minerals in Martian soil appear to create thin films of liquid that allow destructive particles to move and cause more damage.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The governor needs to reverse course on this destructive reporting requirement.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Hundreds evacuated in Alaska after flooding In the aftermath of a destructive typhoon, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, causing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days, officials said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
In contrast, the minerals in Martian soil appear to create thin films of liquid that allow destructive particles to move and cause more damage.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The governor needs to reverse course on this destructive reporting requirement.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Hundreds evacuated in Alaska after flooding In the aftermath of a destructive typhoon, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, causing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days, officials said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 17 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 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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