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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
President Biden was criticized for slow-walking deliveries to Israel under pressure from Democrats to hold back sending some of America’s most destructive weaponry.
—
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 29 July 2025
Video shows destructive flood in New Mexico The video filmed by Lindsey Tharpe shows a mobile home being carried away by rapid floodwaters, knocking over a tree in the process.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 26 July 2025
The scene is both a climax and a turning point, symbolizing the struggle between the destructive legacy of the past and the hope for justice.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 25 July 2025
The unapologetic promotion of wholesomeness in our culture must replace the capricious, self destructive impulses that have now taken hold.
—Scott Liftman, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 29 July 2025
Video shows destructive flood in New Mexico The video filmed by Lindsey Tharpe shows a mobile home being carried away by rapid floodwaters, knocking over a tree in the process.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 26 July 2025
The scene is both a climax and a turning point, symbolizing the struggle between the destructive legacy of the past and the hope for justice.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 25 July 2025
The unapologetic promotion of wholesomeness in our culture must replace the capricious, self destructive impulses that have now taken hold.
—Scott Liftman, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Fuentes is a member of the rescue group Fundación 911, which was one of the earliest first responders to the devastating flash floods in central Texas earlier this month.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
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This time, the duo sets their sights on transforming the home of a heroic fire captain who battled the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in June 2024.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
31 July 2025
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His disastrous tariffs have hit Americans hard, and now the Republican budget is slashing essential services, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, that protected our most vulnerable.—
Juliana Stratton,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Simmons said very few improvements have been made to the highway, even as the fatal accidents continue to happen.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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The 2024 case was not fatal, health department spokesperson Kimberly Harry indicated on July 28.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Fortunately for him, that gaffe will be a little easier to live down than Teal and Weinberg’s unfortunate comments.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
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