destructive

adjective

di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce destructive (audio)
Definition of destructivenext
1
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction the destructive storm blew down trees all over town, and blew the roof off our neighbor's house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune technology used for destructive ends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destructive In any case, the most destructive removal is far more noticeable. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026 Sunday evening’s crest there was nearly 2 feet higher than the destructive flooding on October 23. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 Bass continues to face fallout from the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire, which became the most destructive blaze in city history. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026 Jury selection began Monday in the federal retrial of a man prosecutors say deliberately set a blaze that grew into one of the deadliest, most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
  1. devastating
  2. disastrous
  3. fatal
  4. unfortunate
  5. catastrophic
Adjective
  • In 2003, at the age of twenty, Pancho experienced a devastating brainstem stroke while recovering from a car accident and major surgery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Much of the work here is quietly devastating in evoking absence, fear and exile.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • Dhillon’s success in those initiatives was middling at best — and in some areas disastrous.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Its shares are down almost 9% Thursday, extending its disastrous stretch.
    — Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal in humans if treatment is not received before symptoms develop.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The driver of the pickup truck was found unresponsive with fatal injuries and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, police said.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • Before that, the Broncos were a major beneficiary of an unfortunate series of events in the third quarter.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
  • As the state no longer holds a monopoly on the tools—nor the data—used to keep us safe, an opaque gap between the private and public sectors has opened where unfortunate, and even tragic, events can transpire.
    — David Niccolini, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • In recent years, insurance companies have restricted business and shed large numbers of policies following catastrophic wildfires and fears about more in the future.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In September, about 70 Americans remained unaccounted for following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border, while 18 Americans had been confirmed safe, Fox News Digital previously reported.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

destructions
destructive
desuetude
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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