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
In California, a cold front could help with efforts to contain the destructive 20,630-acre Mountain Fire.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible?
Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.
—Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
And yet, this modest snake is one of the most destructive invasives in the world, directly responsible for the extinction of over a dozen animal species and indirectly responsible for the decline of an entire island ecosystem.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Some of the sideshows, as they are also called, have been deadly and destructive.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
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Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible?
Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.
—Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
And yet, this modest snake is one of the most destructive invasives in the world, directly responsible for the extinction of over a dozen animal species and indirectly responsible for the decline of an entire island ecosystem.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Some of the sideshows, as they are also called, have been deadly and destructive.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive
Dictionary Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 21 Nov. 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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