destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of destructive in a Sentence
It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.
She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties.
The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.
Recent Examples on the Web
While most game developers are looking to embrace the power fantasy of the Jedi, with wild lightsaber combat and destructive Force abilities, the people behind Outlaws wanted to go back to the basics with good old-fashioned blasters.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024
The state faces an ongoing crisis brought about by a perfect storm of excessive litigation, widespread fraud, and the growing risk of more frequent and more destructive extreme weather events, fueled by climate change.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
All is not quiet on the marital front, as the wife asks for a divorce and the couple descends into a destructive cycle that not only includes infidelity and neglect, but spins into murder, a tentacled alien creature and doppelgangers.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
This increases the storage of body fat, making the problem worse, and resulting in a destructive spiral.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024
The state faces an ongoing crisis brought about by a perfect storm of excessive litigation, widespread fraud, and the growing risk of more frequent and more destructive extreme weather events, fueled by climate change.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
All is not quiet on the marital front, as the wife asks for a divorce and the couple descends into a destructive cycle that not only includes infidelity and neglect, but spins into murder, a tentacled alien creature and doppelgangers.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
This increases the storage of body fat, making the problem worse, and resulting in a destructive spiral.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'destructive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
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