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: deleterious, ruinous

   Antonyms: creative

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

   destructive criticism.

   Synonyms: negative, adverse, unfavorable

   Antonyms: constructive

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

Derived Forms

• deˈstructively, adverb
• deˈstructiveness, noun

Other Words From

• de·structive·ly adverb
• de·structive·ness de·struc·tiv·i·ty [dee-struhk-, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• inter·de·structive adjective
• inter·de·structive·ly adverb
• inter·de·structive·ness noun
• nonde·structive adjective
• nonde·structive·ly adverb
• nonde·structive·ness noun
• over·de·structive adjective
• over·de·structive·ly adverb
• over·de·structive·ness noun
• semi·de·structive adjective
• unde·structive adjective
• unde·structive·ly adverb
• unde·structive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of destructive¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin dēstructīvus, from Latin dēstruct(us) “demolished, torn down” ( destruction ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

This is where Macklin and other counterterrorism experts warn the United States could be headed: The harsher and more challenging the environment gets and the more destructive and expensive the impacts become, the more climate change may be seized as the dominion of the right.

From Salon

Contrary to popular belief, the most destructive force in most Southern California wildfires isn’t the flames — it’s the embers.

From Los Angeles Times

In just a few terrifying hours, the Mountain Fire became the most destructive blaze in Southern California in years.

From Los Angeles Times

Importantly, each one of those prior foundings was preceded by periods of crisis and conflict, many of which were much more violent and destructive than the one we’ve been in—so far; hopefully it stays that way.

From Slate

The Academy of Royal Colleges has also called for an independent review into the use of associates because of an "increasingly acrimonious and destructive debate".

From BBC

Related Words

• calamitous
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damaging
• deadly
• detrimental
• disastrous
• fatal
• harmful
• hurtful
• lethal
• pernicious
• ruinous
• suicidal
• toxic