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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Onions can be used as a companion plant to carrots to keep away the destructive carrot fly, a pest that can stunt the growth of carrots and even destroy entire plantings.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
They are used to manage pests that are regular and destructive in most years.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Nobody expected Olise to be this good or Diaz to be this destructive.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Just wish-casting a world to exist that doesn’t, which is very destructive.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
They are used to manage pests that are regular and destructive in most years.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Nobody expected Olise to be this good or Diaz to be this destructive.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Just wish-casting a world to exist that doesn’t, which is very destructive.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Cade Cunningham had a triple-double for Detroit (27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), but had turnovers on three straight possessions late that were devastating.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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As their relationship grows closer — and through devastating events — AJ is inspired to preserve their connection by drawing their story.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Too much of it can be disastrous for the local ecosystems, leading to issues like algal blooms.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
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The Lakers coach couldn’t even sub fast enough before Ayton’s two-handed frustration shove of Oklahoma City guard Ajay Mitchell put a disappointing punctuation mark on a disastrous 19-second stretch for the Lakers starting center.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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Two Connecticut State Police troopers have been cleared in connection with a fatal shooting in Bozrah last August after the state Inspector General concluded that the armed woman who was shot was apparently trying to commit suicide by cop.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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The star died in 2009, at age 50, of cardiac arrest due to a fatal dose of propofol and other drugs.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Lee said the incident is especially unfortunate, given the good work VCH does.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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This is unfortunate and, from your telling, needlessly aggressive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
In July 1997, parts of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic were struck by catastrophic river flooding that left more than 100 people dead.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
14 May 2026
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Blake scrambles back to prevent the catastrophic, but the shot flies over the bar.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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