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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Recent Examples of destructive
The Steve Miller Band concert at Hard Rock Live was scheduled to take place four days before the anniversary of Hurricane Milton, a destructive storm that made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024, causing more than $34 billion in damage.
—
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Endorsing candidates, however, is likely to be destructive.
—Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Scientists believe these unpredictable, destructive storms are linked to climate change.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Central Texas is still reeling from the destructive and deadly floodwaters, which were spurred by nearly unprecedented rainfall that swelled the Guadalupe River, drowning portions of the state's Hill Country.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Endorsing candidates, however, is likely to be destructive.
—Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Scientists believe these unpredictable, destructive storms are linked to climate change.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Central Texas is still reeling from the destructive and deadly floodwaters, which were spurred by nearly unprecedented rainfall that swelled the Guadalupe River, drowning portions of the state's Hill Country.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 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 4 Aug. 2025.
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