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

A key aspect of their destructive potential is their unpredictability.

From Science Daily

But the academy was critical of the "increasingly acrimonious and destructive debate" which it said had been fuelled by unsubstantiated comments on social media and was damaging teamwork across the health service.

From BBC

Ramirez continued on his destructive path in the final rounds, landing the more significant and eye-catching shots.

From BBC

The man, whose name was not released, was arrested Friday in the 2200 block of Belmont Lane on suspicion of using a destructive device, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

From Los Angeles Times

Time passes with destructive fury, even if clocks and calendars are of no use to anybody.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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