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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Authorities also determined Roberts had not registered any destructive devices as required under the National Firearms Act.
—
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Taz-Mania’s lush tropical district will be designed by the destructive Taz who wreaks havoc after escaping his cage.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Most believe there could be solutions through civil dialog, there are answers in the middle, and there is destructive disunity at the fringes.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
When mowed higher than recommended, warm-season grasses are prone to developing a destructive layer of thatch.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Taz-Mania’s lush tropical district will be designed by the destructive Taz who wreaks havoc after escaping his cage.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Most believe there could be solutions through civil dialog, there are answers in the middle, and there is destructive disunity at the fringes.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
When mowed higher than recommended, warm-season grasses are prone to developing a destructive layer of thatch.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Femi was coming off a devastating loss against Brock Lesnar.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Fewer, but more ‘devastating’ blazes That the world suffered fewer acres torched by wildfires in 2025 likely comes as little relief to the countries and cities that battled the infernos last year.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The study, published on May 31, highlights an ongoing trend toward wildfires becoming increasingly extreme, costly, and disastrous — both economically and in lives lost.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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Leigh Ann, boy, so striking to hear the former first lady talk about that disastrous debate performance.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Iyo Sky, Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Lash Legend squared off in a fatal four-way match with a spot in the semifinals waiting for the winner.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Underscoring the stakes for Louisville residents is the March fatal shooting of a 28-year-old woman named Katelyn Hall, who was experiencing a mental health crisis when police gunned her down in her own apartment.—
Topher Sanders,
ProPublica,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The timing is particularly unfortunate given the matchup awaiting the Knicks.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2026
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While loud sounds won’t cause flat cakes, there are reasons for this unfortunate outcome.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Garrincha also played at the 1966 World Cup, but his drinking had reached catastrophic levels by then.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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And late last week about 50,000 people were evacuated in Southern California after a chemical tank overheated and threatened the area with a catastrophic explosion.—
Martha Bellisle,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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