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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destructive
Trump’s orders have been similarly destructive of the American ideal of democracy.
—
William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe praised investigators and prosecutors for sending a message that arsonists will be held accountable for their destructive actions.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
That means repairing the harm done to communities like Sandridge by stopping destructive projects from happening in the first place and reinvesting in what was taken—affordable housing, public transit, walkable streets, and meaningful access to jobs, schools, and services.
—Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe praised investigators and prosecutors for sending a message that arsonists will be held accountable for their destructive actions.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
That means repairing the harm done to communities like Sandridge by stopping destructive projects from happening in the first place and reinvesting in what was taken—affordable housing, public transit, walkable streets, and meaningful access to jobs, schools, and services.
—Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
-
This was somehow more devastating for Minnesota than last year’s Game 5 debacle against Dallas.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2025
-
The impact on the demographic group driving growth in population, consumer spending, and higher education enrollment in this country would be nothing short of devastating.—
Noreen Sugrue,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Giants didn’t have a disastrous road trip, winning two of their three series, but taking just two out of three against rebuilding teams won’t be enough to catch the Dodgers, and getting swept by contending teams will leave them outside of the wild-card chase.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Following a disastrous accident, Cadence's life changes forever, disrupting the harmony builtbetween her, her family, and her inner circle.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Her father was charged A CT baby had fractures and injuries medical personnel say could have been fatal.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
-
In addition to the loss of wildlife, collisions are also fatal to humans.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The polished old pro bent time and space, keeping the unfortunate new work to a minimum and running through his hits, reliving, nearly chronologically, the thrill of experiencing his catalog all over again at a speed run.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
-
An unfortunate series of events in the eighth inning led to the Brewers going up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share