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

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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 This choice exemplifies high emotional intelligence, fostering self-awareness and long-term well-being, ultimately preventing destructive cycles of retaliation. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 But warmer waters in the Atlantic means the risk of destructive storms for the season is still high. — Ava Berger, NPR, 22 July 2026 Instead of relying on exaggerated destructive tests, Titaner has concentrated on the relationship between the blade, edge angle, handle shape, and the force applied by the user. — New Atlas, 21 July 2026 If such pusillanimity continues, Democrats risk losing their party to a band of true believers no less destructive than the furthest extremes of the MAGA movement. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
  1. devastating
  2. disastrous
  3. fatal
  4. unfortunate
  5. catastrophic
Adjective
  • San Francisco, Lisbon, Tokyo, Christchurch are all cities that have been rebuilt stronger and safer after devastating earthquakes.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Has a devastating chip block on Abdul Carter featured on his reel.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • Biden eventually withdrew from the 2024 presidential race after a disastrous debate performance.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 25 July 2026
  • Lawmakers assumed the good investment returns would keep coming, which proved disastrous.
    — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • Authorities have taken a suspect into custody following a fatal shooting Sunday night in Round Lake Beach.
    — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • As cars and roads multiplied, accidents began to pile up; by the mid-sixties, there were more than fifty thousand fatal highway accidents per year.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • No, this unfortunate moniker represents the lack of attention to and awareness of the disease.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Typically, when rookies put up gaudy numbers in Las Vegas, their stats are accompanied by unfortunate shooting percentages or a bevy of turnovers, but that wasn’t the case for Burries.
    — Eric Nehm, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • As humanity contemplates the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change, Sulej says the story of the Mastodonsaurus offers some hope.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • The last major hurricane to hit Miami-Dade County was the catastrophic Hurricane Andrew in 1992, but the city did not take a direct hit.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on destructive

Nglish: Translation of destructive for Spanish Speakers

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