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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Bubbles are bad and destructive.
—
ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026
The political left also occasionally makes its voice heard at Cannes via climate protesters horrified by the destructive environmental impact of some major companies that spend big dollars to improve their image (and set up shop for the week along the Croisette).
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026
This marks the arrival of the destructive strain on the last continent previously free of it.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Los Angeles — After calling more than 30 witnesses over six days of testimony, federal prosecutors this week rested their case in the trial of the man accused of starting the deadly and historically destructive Palisades Fire that scorched swaths of Los Angeles in the early days of 2025.
—Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026
The political left also occasionally makes its voice heard at Cannes via climate protesters horrified by the destructive environmental impact of some major companies that spend big dollars to improve their image (and set up shop for the week along the Croisette).
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026
This marks the arrival of the destructive strain on the last continent previously free of it.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Los Angeles — After calling more than 30 witnesses over six days of testimony, federal prosecutors this week rested their case in the trial of the man accused of starting the deadly and historically destructive Palisades Fire that scorched swaths of Los Angeles in the early days of 2025.
—Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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The Battle of the Gullet proves devastating for the Blacks, even if the blockade remains intact.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
In 1876, at the Centennial, the United States was still recovering from a devastating Civil War.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Adjective
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Labour has teetered on the edge of one for weeks after those disastrous local election results, and only Burnham’s inability to run before now seems to have delayed one.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The fatal attack came 16 days later.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
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Detectives identified James Goodman, 39, and Devinae Mitchell, 26, both of Hercules, as suspects in the fatal shooting, police said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Adjective
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The visible gap for the door mechanism running across the rear fenders is unfortunate, especially since more basic minivans showcase clean surfaces there.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
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Here's Sophie Cunningham dominating another pre-game entrance before an unfortunate loss to Angel Reese last night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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During The Great Dying, massive volcanic eruptions triggered catastrophic climate changes that altered the planet’s entire biosphere.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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