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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Dearing’s refusal to be extorted out of his home was nearly met with destructive violence.
—
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Our graduates discover that disagreement does not have to be destructive.
—Garrett Lucien, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Invasive plants such as English ivy and Chinese wisteria are also potentially destructive.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
But narrative change is still crucial — vaccine uptake, climate, destructive technology — popular culture shapes perceptions and outcomes.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Our graduates discover that disagreement does not have to be destructive.
—Garrett Lucien, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Invasive plants such as English ivy and Chinese wisteria are also potentially destructive.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
But narrative change is still crucial — vaccine uptake, climate, destructive technology — popular culture shapes perceptions and outcomes.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Ellen Rudolph and her husband, Steve Lewis, were still trying to repair their Pacific Palisades home and rebuild their lives after last year’s fires when, two months later, the devastating news came.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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In early 2025, Isom also had to navigate the tragedy of Flight 5342 — the devastating midair collision at Reagan National caused by a wayward military helicopter, through no fault of American’s.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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With the women’s slalom coming Wednesday, the results have been mostly disappointing for Shiffrin, who was looking to bounce back from a disastrous performance at the Beijing Olympics four years ago.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That comment came during after-school fodder just days following the fatal shooting of Renee Good.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Two days after a fatal shooting inside a Kansas City nightclub, prosecutors have charged a Kansas City, Kansas, man with two counts of second-degree murder.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Ben Jaggers finds motivation from an unfortunate disqualification that stifled his bid for a medal last year.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Survivors of the catastrophic avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada that claimed at least eight lives were rescued after using an emergency feature available on some iPhones.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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General catastrophizing Some people are naturally prone to anxiety and overthinking everything—like a work typo, or a throwaway joke that now feels catastrophic.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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