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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Hurricane Melissa continued its destructive path, making landfall in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 storm after devastating parts of Jamaica.
—
Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
While this energy level is lower than many rifle categories, the slug’s massive frontal area and weight create uniquely destructive terminal effects.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
The National Hurricane Center reported that peak storm surge could reach 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels near and to the east of where the center made landfall, accompanied by large and destructive waves.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
The last time Jamaica faced a hurricane of a similar magnitude was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 storm remembered as the deadliest and most destructive in the nation’s history.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
While this energy level is lower than many rifle categories, the slug’s massive frontal area and weight create uniquely destructive terminal effects.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
The National Hurricane Center reported that peak storm surge could reach 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels near and to the east of where the center made landfall, accompanied by large and destructive waves.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
The last time Jamaica faced a hurricane of a similar magnitude was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 storm remembered as the deadliest and most destructive in the nation’s history.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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After a devastating fire leveled the popular Auburn Cafe in Ecorse, a new iteration − the Auburn Taverna − is now open in Wyandotte, a few miles further downriver and inside the former Bobcat Bonnie's space.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Maui also made the list for 2026, as the Hawaiian island has proved its resilience since the devastating 2023 wildfires and has continued to rebuild.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Yet a drumbeat of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel did not prove politically fatal in New York City in 2025.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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The special explores theories about why the thieves targeted specific displays, who orchestrated this brazen operation and which fatal flaws in their plan ultimately led to their capture.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Liverpool were competitive in the first half, and perhaps unfortunate to see Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser ruled out for interference from an offside position, but City pressed home their advantage through the brilliance of left-winger Jeremy Doku.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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The story takes place at a grand country house where the guests have an unfortunate habit of dying, or nearly dying, under seemingly unrelated circumstances.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Drone footage showed catastrophic flooding that turned streets into rivers, submerged homes and overturned cars as Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in only 24 hours in some areas.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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