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
To make matters worse, the dog has also been destructive.
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Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
The proceedings will feel a bit heavier after one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in American history ravaged Maui just 15 months ago.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
The antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam had a different context: international outrage over Israel’s destructive war in Gaza that followed Hamas’s attack.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
At the time, the system was churning some 300 miles off the coast of Washington and pushing destructive winds over northern California, Oregon and Washington, according to the advisory.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
The proceedings will feel a bit heavier after one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in American history ravaged Maui just 15 months ago.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
The antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam had a different context: international outrage over Israel’s destructive war in Gaza that followed Hamas’s attack.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
At the time, the system was churning some 300 miles off the coast of Washington and pushing destructive winds over northern California, Oregon and Washington, according to the advisory.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Chapple told Vassos during the show that Goree's passing was the most devastating loss of his life, ScreenRant adds.Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
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Zabka details key inflection points between the duo such as a particular moment in Season 3, during which Miguel is recovering from a devastating injury.Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade saw the Sonic the Hedgehog balloon's disastrous debut, coinciding with the Sega gaming company's peak popularity.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
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And there was Williams late in the fourth quarter, overcoming a disastrous start to a potential winning drive by completing three straight passes of 12 yards or more to help the Bears get to the Packers’ 28-yard line to set up Santos’ kick.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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All of the women were denied abortions despite facing fatal fetal diagnoses, life-threatening health risks or both.Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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The fatal collision remains under investigation by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Lucky 13 has proved unfortunate for those involved in making the ABC game show.Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
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Equally unfortunate is the film’s narrative clumsiness, with a story that doesn’t earn its exhausting runtime.Tomris Laffly, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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