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
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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Recent Examples of destructive
Over the next day or so, the storm is on track to hammer Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and parts of the Bahamas with catastrophic flash flooding, destructive winds, and damaging waves.
—
Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
One of the tale’s bitterest ironies is that Victor will become a more demanding, more neglectful, and vastly more destructive father figure than Leopold ever was.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
While the raw destructive potential of nuclear weapons was known, the potential for near-infinite and cheap energy opened up many possibilities for non-military applications in many facets of society.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
But the island is no stranger to dealing with destructive storms.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
One of the tale’s bitterest ironies is that Victor will become a more demanding, more neglectful, and vastly more destructive father figure than Leopold ever was.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
While the raw destructive potential of nuclear weapons was known, the potential for near-infinite and cheap energy opened up many possibilities for non-military applications in many facets of society.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
But the island is no stranger to dealing with destructive storms.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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The loss was unexpected and devastating.—
Autumn Barnes,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
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Kamala Harris teases 2028 presidential run, devastating Dems’ chances!—
The Hill,
The Hill,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The show centers on Alex (Jason Clarke) and his wife, Maggie Murdaugh (Patricia Arquette), as their privileged world spirals following a fatal 2019 boating accident involving their son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold), that leads to more secrets emerging.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Overall, prosecutors allege the nearly three-dozen defendants cheated unfortunate players out of at least $7 million.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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The knee injury marks an unfortunate end to Duck’s second season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The film's production cost around $26 million and earned just $637,355 at the box office — a catastrophic flop.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides will continue through Tuesday night.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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