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
As Southern California nears the heart of wildfire season, rebuilding is merely inching forward in areas hit by the most destructive conflagrations in Los Angeles history.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Asheville was one of several western North Carolina towns ravaged by the destructive force of Hurricane Helene, which damaged structures and upended lives in September 2024.
—Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
Such was the case during Hurricane Irene, a tropical storm anticipated to be so destructive that the New York City mayor closed all businesses and transportation for the entirety of that sweaty August weekend.
—Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
At its Himalayan Botanical Garden, plants such as gentian are domesticated for research and cosmetics applications, reducing destructive wild harvesting while supporting biodiversity.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Asheville was one of several western North Carolina towns ravaged by the destructive force of Hurricane Helene, which damaged structures and upended lives in September 2024.
—Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
Such was the case during Hurricane Irene, a tropical storm anticipated to be so destructive that the New York City mayor closed all businesses and transportation for the entirety of that sweaty August weekend.
—Irene Yoo
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
At its Himalayan Botanical Garden, plants such as gentian are domesticated for research and cosmetics applications, reducing destructive wild harvesting while supporting biodiversity.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 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 4 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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