constructive

American  

[kuhn-struhk-tiv] / kənˈstrʌk tɪv /

adjective

1. helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement (destructive ).

   constructive criticism.

   Synonyms:

   useful, handy, helpful, productive

2. of, relating to, or of the nature of construction; structural.

3. deduced by inference or interpretation; inferential.

   constructive permission.

4. Law. denoting an act or condition not directly expressed but inferred from other acts or conditions.

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constructive British  

/ kənˈstrʌktɪv /

adjective

1. serving to build or improve; positive

   constructive criticism

2. law deduced by inference or construction; not expressed but inferred

3. law having a deemed legal effect

   constructive notice

4. another word for structural

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Other Word Forms

• constructively adverb
• constructiveness noun
• nonconstructive adjective
• nonconstructively adverb
• nonconstructiveness noun
• quasi-constructive adjective
• quasi-constructively adverb
• unconstructive adjective
• unconstructively adverb

Etymology

Origin of constructive

1670–80; < Medieval Latin constrūctīvus, equivalent to Latin constrūct(us) ( construct ) + īvus -ive

Example Sentences

He added that he hoped more countries would follow the U.K.’s “constructive negotiations.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Zelensky described the talks in the United States as "very constructive", adding that decisions would be taken on Ukraine's "further activities" once the delegation returning from there had been debriefed.

From Barron's

"But everyone is trying to be constructive and find a solution," the source added.

From BBC

“We await wider rollouts and evidence of commercialization before considering turning more constructive.”

From Barron's

The setup remains constructive as long as shares hold above $97.

From Barron's

Related Words

• effective
• positive
• practical
• productive
• useful
• valuable