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
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
—
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
The MacGuffin of all MacGuffins, we're told the Rabbit's Foot is some sort of powerful, potentially destructive force, but its exact nature is never explained in the film.
—EW.com, 21 May 2025
Historic data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that natural disasters have become more frequent and more destructive in recent decades.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Just 10 years from now, as weather events grow more frequent and more destructive, those credit losses could increase to $5.36 billion, representing nearly 30% of foreclosure losses.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
The MacGuffin of all MacGuffins, we're told the Rabbit's Foot is some sort of powerful, potentially destructive force, but its exact nature is never explained in the film.
—EW.com, 21 May 2025
Historic data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that natural disasters have become more frequent and more destructive in recent decades.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Just 10 years from now, as weather events grow more frequent and more destructive, those credit losses could increase to $5.36 billion, representing nearly 30% of foreclosure losses.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 19 May 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 30 May. 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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