unconstructive

adjective

un·​con·​struct·​ive ˌən-kən-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce unconstructive (audio)
: not serving to promote improvement or advancement : not constructive
vague and unconstructive criticism

Examples of unconstructive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What’s more, asking too many questions and questions with easy answers was also deemed unconstructive and resulted in being less likable. Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2023 Not only that, but being less politically skilled also translated to being seen as unconstructive and less likely to contribute to organizational effectiveness. Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2023 The two men developed a close and lasting bond as McAfee tutored his protégé in the complex duties of an urban principal, from managing angry parents and defusing racial tensions to navigating diverse cultures and shrugging off unconstructive criticism. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 11 June 2022 Comments which are not made in good faith or are otherwise unconstructive will be removed. Erik Kain, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 Politically, this plan allows leaders to move away from the unconstructive debates that have framed our handling of Covid-19. Julian Zelizer, CNN, 18 Feb. 2022 As intolerance of uncertainty has begun to be studied as a separate trait from a tendency to worry, psychologists have identified typical behaviors—often unconstructive ones—that people use to tamp down their distress at not knowing. Francine Russo, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2022 Situating these discussions within the context of a mass-shooting, however, is unconstructive and, in Trump’s case, plainly disingenuous. Simon Parkin, Time, 8 Aug. 2019 Let’s Fund For years, in climate circles, those calling for more R&D were pitted in an utterly unconstructive battle against those calling for more deployment of existing clean energy technologies. David Roberts, Vox, 11 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unconstructive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconstructive was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near unconstructive

Cite this Entry

“Unconstructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconstructive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!