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View synonyms for

destructive

[ dih-struhk-tiv ]

adjective

  1. tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of or to ):

    a very destructive windstorm.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit ( constructive ):

    destructive criticism.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:



destructive

/ dɪˈstrʌktɪv; ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. oftenpostpositive and foll by of or to causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
  2. intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative Compare constructive

    destructive criticism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٰܳپ, adverb
  • ˈٰܳپԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٰܳt· adverb
  • ·ٰܳt·Ա ·ٰܳ·پ··ٲ [dee-struhk-, tiv, -i-tee], noun
  • t··ٰܳt adjective
  • inter··ٰܳt· adverb
  • inter··ٰܳt·Ա noun
  • ԴDzd·ٰܳt adjective
  • non·ٰܳt· adverb
  • non·ٰܳt·Ա noun
  • v··ٰܳt adjective
  • over··ٰܳt· adverb
  • over··ٰܳt·Ա noun
  • i··ٰܳt adjective
  • ܲd·ٰܳt adjective
  • un·ٰܳt· adverb
  • un·ٰܳt·Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of destructive1

First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin ŧٰܳīܲ, from Latin ŧٰܳ(ܲ) “demolished, torn down” ( destruction ) + -īܲ -ive
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office have been some of the most chaotic and destructive in American history.

From

The 23-year-old back row, who signed a contract extension in March, was a destructive cameo on both sides of the ball in the Tigers' win over Harlequins.

From

A study led by the Met Office found that the extreme "fire weather" that helped spread the destructive blazes of July 2022 were made at least six times more likely by human-caused climate change.

From

The nine minutes Hayes played on Friday were particularly destructive, as he registered a plus/minus of minus-13.

From

Through Joe’s raw inner monologue, "You" challenged us to empathize with a man fighting a losing battle with his sanity, and confronted the reality of being open and honest with destructive thoughts.

From

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destructionistdestructive competition