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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Additionally, critical infrastructure within major cities remains a prime spot for cells to carry out destructive terror plots, with Iranian officials likely turning to proxy groups to sow fear within the population.
—
Julia Bonavita , Danielle Wallace , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
The experience does acknowledge the destructive impact humans have had on the planet.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2025
The second hurricane of the Pacific season is expected to arrive along the coast east of Acapulco with destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flash flooding.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 19 June 2025
The storm threatened to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said.
—Luis Alberto Cruz, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Julia Bonavita , Danielle Wallace , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
The experience does acknowledge the destructive impact humans have had on the planet.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2025
The second hurricane of the Pacific season is expected to arrive along the coast east of Acapulco with destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flash flooding.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 19 June 2025
The storm threatened to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said.
—Luis Alberto Cruz, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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As a result, more children were vaccinated against devastating viruses, and more were lives saved.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Familiar Touch could figure in Lead Actress for Broadway star Kathleen Chalfant’s astounding and devastating turn as a woman slipping into dementia and sent to live out her days in a nursing home.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Skipping this governance checkpoint essentially means letting people create powerful and untested tools for decision making, which could be disastrous to an organization’s future success.—
Larry English,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Trading away Jokic would be disastrous, and the thought of it is just as bad.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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And the mid-Atlantic recently saw its first fatal case of Heartland Virus.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
23 June 2025
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The United States has struck a crippling, but not fatal blow at Iran’s nuclear weapons aspirations.—
Brett Schaefer,
National Review,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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And in the process of owning your role in the unfortunate circumstances, remember, never blame your superior or the board in a public forum.—
Carol Geffner,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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While Malle is clearly qualified to oversee editorial content, the timing is unfortunate for her chances.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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