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
Back in the mid-1980s, what started in Hong Kong reverberated around the world, as Woo — who was then stuck at the lowest point of his career — elevated action to art, finding poetry in the medium’s most destructive genre.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
In contrast, the minerals in Martian soil appear to create thin films of liquid that allow destructive particles to move and cause more damage.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The governor needs to reverse course on this destructive reporting requirement.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Hundreds evacuated in Alaska after flooding In the aftermath of a destructive typhoon, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, causing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days, officials said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
In contrast, the minerals in Martian soil appear to create thin films of liquid that allow destructive particles to move and cause more damage.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The governor needs to reverse course on this destructive reporting requirement.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Hundreds evacuated in Alaska after flooding In the aftermath of a destructive typhoon, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, causing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days, officials said.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
-
At its beating heart is a devastating brother-sister story about generational trauma and teenage growing pains.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
-
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns racked up two sacks in the team’s devastating loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and expressed his frustrations with the play-calling at the end of the game.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Such a slow start proved fatal to Yeovil, who went on to finish bottom of the table after being made to wait until October 26 for their first Huish Park victory at the seventh attempt.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Shortly after being taken away by paramedics, the father of Owens' four children was informed over the phone that her injury proved fatal.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is unfortunate, because part of what makes Moose Jaw historically significant is that the opposite of what is claimed at the Tunnels is true.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
-
This current injury sounds like something that is a result of something unfortunate away from the game, which is why everyone is being so cryptic.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even environmentalists like Al Gore who once fretted about catastrophic accidents and radioactive waste are warming to the technology.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
-
That much rain over mountainous terrain in the area could trigger catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share