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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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Recent Examples of destructive
Because of the camp's prior history of flooding, including a destructive flood in 1932, the Eastlands knew that there was a risk for catastrophe at Mystic, the suit said.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Utility rate freezes would only disincentivize utility companies from upgrading their transmission infrastructure, possibly setting the stage for more destructive wildfires in the future.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
This includes destructive cells such as cancerous cells, making oregano oil useful in preventing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
If Sarandos is thinking a 45-day window to streaming, that’s still rather destructive to the business.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Utility rate freezes would only disincentivize utility companies from upgrading their transmission infrastructure, possibly setting the stage for more destructive wildfires in the future.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
This includes destructive cells such as cancerous cells, making oregano oil useful in preventing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
If Sarandos is thinking a 45-day window to streaming, that’s still rather destructive to the business.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Ellen Rudolph and her husband, Steve Lewis, were still trying to repair their Pacific Palisades home and rebuild their lives after last year’s fires when, two months later, the devastating news came.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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In early 2025, Isom also had to navigate the tragedy of Flight 5342 — the devastating midair collision at Reagan National caused by a wayward military helicopter, through no fault of American’s.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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With the women’s slalom coming Wednesday, the results have been mostly disappointing for Shiffrin, who was looking to bounce back from a disastrous performance at the Beijing Olympics four years ago.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That comment came during after-school fodder just days following the fatal shooting of Renee Good.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Two days after a fatal shooting inside a Kansas City nightclub, prosecutors have charged a Kansas City, Kansas, man with two counts of second-degree murder.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s how the forward ended up under a too-bright light at the end of this season, burdened with the unfortunate responsibility of being one of the few players the front office felt was worth investing in long term.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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After Ellis’ unfortunate and sudden passing in 1986, Marc Jacobs was named creative director of the brand in 1988.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This sympathetic surge is caused by the release of noradrenaline, which, in the context of cancer, has catastrophic consequences.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
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Jerome Powell, the Fed’s current chair, made a choice to avert a catastrophic economic crash during the COVID-19 pandemic, accepting the risk of a bout of inflation.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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