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

Derived Forms

• conˈstructiveness, noun
• conˈstructively, adverb

Other Words From

• con·structive·ly adverb
• con·structive·ness noun
• noncon·structive adjective
• noncon·structive·ly adverb
• noncon·structive·ness noun
• quasi-con·structive adjective
• quasi-con·structive·ly adverb
• uncon·structive adjective
• uncon·structive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of constructive¹

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

Example Sentences

"I would urge our government going forward to be constructive in those discussions."

From BBC

My stance on widespread testing will be different when doctors have more tools available to predict and treat Alzheimer’s and can offer constructive advice after a blood test comes back positive.

From Los Angeles Times

The prime minister said their meeting in New York in September and their phone call on Wednesday after the US election result had been "very positive, very constructive".

From BBC

But it insisted the meeting was “constructive across the full breadth of the bilateral relationship” and both sides committed to “regular discussions” at ministerial level.

From BBC

On Ukraine, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the United Nations that China was playing a “constructive role” as he accused Washington of “exploiting the situation for selfish gain”.

From BBC

Related Words

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