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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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
Again, this message gamifies violence and obscures the destructive toll of war.
—
Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These destructive pests do have some enemies.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
But environmentalists say the project is a destructive boondoggle.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
His destructive idea was that the tariffs were needed because the largest economy in the world should have no trade deficits with any other country on the planet.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
These destructive pests do have some enemies.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
But environmentalists say the project is a destructive boondoggle.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
His destructive idea was that the tariffs were needed because the largest economy in the world should have no trade deficits with any other country on the planet.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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To lose a single service member is just a devastating blow.—
ALLEN G. BREED,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Trump told Fox that Iran has only about 150 missile launchers left, or about 20% of its original total, after waves of devastating attacks on Iran’s military and civilian infrastructure.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Each hot run was countered by a disastrous stretch for seemingly everyone.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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But two disastrous seasons followed that campaign, with the Hurricanes going a combined 22-41 in 2023-24 and 2024-25.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The man’s death marks Kansas City’s 24th homicide of 2026, compared to 26 at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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According to the city's police department, the fatal accident occurred at 1990 S Flamingo Road.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The interviews themselves are informative, but unobtrusive, and the while intimate footage of Frazier and Reynolds’ personal lives paints a slightly wider picture of their circumstances, their moods in the aftermath of their unfortunate digital breakthroughs is kept largely at an arm’s length.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Juicy is in the unfortunate position of following Jane.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And despite volatility across markets, oil prices don’t seem to be creeping back toward catastrophic levels.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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And in some cases, going up against her has resulted in a nearly catastrophic loss in follower count.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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