constructive

[kuhn-struhk-tiv]

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.

constructive

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of constructive¹

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

Example Sentences

The title of the monthly strategy note from the team at Indosuez, “Climbing the wall of worry” iterated several reasons for their constructive approach to the U.S. equity market, including productivity benefits of AI.

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The spokesperson characterized China’s recent moves as reactive, noting that the U.S. rolled out 20 measures to suppress China in just over 20 days after what both sides had described as constructive talks in Madrid.

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There is then a segment that is a little warmer towards Beijing: "We will engage directly with China bilaterally and in international fora so that we leave room for open, constructive and predictable relations."

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“While near-term headline risks may continue to fuel volatility, the underlying equity market primary trend remains constructive. Strengthening corporate fundamentals should underpin the next leg higher as we enter a historically strong November,” Rubner said.

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Nonetheless he thinks it makes sense to use that volatility to keep buying stocks, writing that he is still “constructive on longer-term fundamentals, meaning pullbacks should be viewed opportunistically.”

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Related Words

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