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
And now, the American political divide has turned increasingly violent with political assassinations, assaults, Swatting, online threats, jackboot arrests, armed military in the city streets, and mutually destructive behavior.
—
Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
His freedom was seen as part of a broader effort to address destructive federal policies, including the Indian boarding-school system, which Peltier was subjected to.
—Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
While destructive scanning is a common practice among smaller-scale operations, Anthropic's approach was somewhat unusual due to its massive scale.
—ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
One big exception is tomato hornworms and cabbage loopers, both destructive pests targeting tomatoes and brassicas.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
His freedom was seen as part of a broader effort to address destructive federal policies, including the Indian boarding-school system, which Peltier was subjected to.
—Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
While destructive scanning is a common practice among smaller-scale operations, Anthropic's approach was somewhat unusual due to its massive scale.
—ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
One big exception is tomato hornworms and cabbage loopers, both destructive pests targeting tomatoes and brassicas.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 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 3 Jul. 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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