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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
On Monday, parts of New South Wales and South Australia states hit record temperatures, some exceeding records set during a destructive summer of forest fires in 2019.
—
CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
This shift requires better rewarding work according to its social and ecological value—raising wages for essential workers, while placing limits on pay in destructive industries such as fossil fuels or tobacco.
—Olivier De Schutter, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
To address the challenge, Hao and her team now designed a non-destructive tracking method capable of monitoring chemical changes inside working solar cells at the microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The deputy executive director (DED) position is a dangerous and destructive force within the PA that should be permanently abolished.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
This shift requires better rewarding work according to its social and ecological value—raising wages for essential workers, while placing limits on pay in destructive industries such as fossil fuels or tobacco.
—Olivier De Schutter, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
To address the challenge, Hao and her team now designed a non-destructive tracking method capable of monitoring chemical changes inside working solar cells at the microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The deputy executive director (DED) position is a dangerous and destructive force within the PA that should be permanently abolished.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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His co-owner and friend, Elia Carranza, described the loss as devastating.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Seattle famously did not hand off to star running back Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson’s pass was intercepted by Malcolm Butler, sealing a Patriots win and putting a devastating end to the Seahawks’ season.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Chargers’ $262 million man fell to 0-3 in the playoffs, each of those defeats distinctly disastrous.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
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Purdy, rendered ineffective by a torn ligament in his right elbow on the opening drive against the Eagles in a disastrous NFC title game loss three seasons ago, completed all three passes for 74 yards and capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson.—
Dan Gelston,
Twin Cities,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month proved to Carlson and other Minnesotans that the potential for danger as an observer was not abstract.—
Michael Williams,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Noem has been under increasing scrutiny following Saturday’s fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal authorities in Minneapolis.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In retrospect, the right move, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said, even with the unfortunate scheduling outcome.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
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But Bloom’s legacy has had the unfortunate effect of making even more reasonable canon defenses look reactionary.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Forecasters warn the weather system could bring catastrophic damage, widespread power outages and bitterly cold weather.—
John Raby,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Abbott says Texas power grid shouldn't fail Abbott and officials from the PUC and ERCOT all spoke about what the state has done since the catastrophic winter storm in 2021, when more than 200 people died amid widespread power outages that lasted for days in parts of the state.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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