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
Cal Fire will examine the Ventura County Fire Department’s response to a small wildfire that subsequently rekindled from the charred skeleton of a tractor — eventually growing into the destructive Mountain fire.
—
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This message is especially destructive given Puerto Rico’s colonial condition.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite.
—Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The zainy, free-spirited, self-actualized, and destructive singer has had difficult cultural and public moments.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This message is especially destructive given Puerto Rico’s colonial condition.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite.
—Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The zainy, free-spirited, self-actualized, and destructive singer has had difficult cultural and public moments.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 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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Secretary Noem paused the diversity lottery to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The main issues on that offense were instability at offensive coordinator, as owner Woody Johnson forced him to fire Mike LaFleur after the 2022 season and replace him with the disastrous Nathaniel Hackett.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Nanos previously said Nancy Guthrie did not leave the home by herself, pointing to her limited mobility and a health condition that could prove to be fatal if the necessary medication was not taken within 24 hours.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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For years, Malibu has been working to reduce road deaths on PCH, though the fatal incidents stretch beyond the city’s borders.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Toni Preckwinkle has served the city of Chicago and Cook County ably throughout her long political career and done much to make life better for the unfortunate among us.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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French Stewart played Harry Solomon, who was known for his odd posture, nervous energy, and the unfortunate fact that alien messages arrived through his head.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 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 7 Feb. 2026.
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