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
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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Recent Examples of destructive
If Disney — which leases the New Amsterdam from New York City and State — can ditch the neon, and 30 Rock can do it, surely thoughts of a giant and destructive glass-smashing are in the air.
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Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Dec. 2024
Over time, this dynamic creates a destructive loop, with the dominant partner tightening their grip and the submissive losing their sense of self.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Other prediction issues remain, particularly with one of the most destructive weather phenomena: tropical cyclones.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
But the end of Kings of Tupelo demonstrates once again how destructive—and addictive—the pull of conspiracy theories can be.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Dec. 2024
Over time, this dynamic creates a destructive loop, with the dominant partner tightening their grip and the submissive losing their sense of self.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Other prediction issues remain, particularly with one of the most destructive weather phenomena: tropical cyclones.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
But the end of Kings of Tupelo demonstrates once again how destructive—and addictive—the pull of conspiracy theories can be.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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This social isolation and loss of support – even from close friends and family members – is a devastating and often unrecognized side effect of the disease.Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
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The devastating storm has left hundreds, possibly thousands, dead, though as of Tuesday morning, only 21 deaths have been officially reported, according to Tortoise Media.Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Chargers ended an otherwise disastrous first half against the Denver Broncos with a rare fair catch free kick from Cameron Dicker that cut the Chargers deficit to 21-13 entering the locker room.Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
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Bridges blocked out the noise, tuning out the relentless social media scrutiny after a disastrous start to the season.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The report was released a day after a fatal school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, which left one student and one teacher dead, and six others injured, along with the suspect.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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Turner, 40, was sentenced in Kenton County Circuit Court on Monday to 12½ years in prison for her role in the August 2023 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Seth Burns.Quinlan Bentley, The Courier-Journal, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The unfortunate 25-year-old was ruled out by serious knee damage for 19 months from April 2022 to November 2023, during Graham Potter’s reign.Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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In an unfortunate instance of life imitating art, the New York Times reported several cast members’ complaints of sleep deprivation, inadequate food, and even hospitalizations on the set of the off-brand competition.Judy Berman, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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