destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
Examples of destructive in a Sentence
It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.
She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties.
The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.
Recent Examples on the Web
This toxic combination of hubris and adept manipulation led to the downfall of Theranos and highlights the destructive power of a Dark Empath.
—
Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee and thousands of structures were affected in the most destructive firestorm in city history.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
These Chinese counter-space capabilities included direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, as well as co-orbital satellites, which are placed into Earth's orbit and later maneuvered to approach and attack a target satellite through destructive and non-destructive ways.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
The security-studies scholar Glenn Snyder speculated in 1965 that deterrence of the most destructive forms of nuclear conflict would create instability at lower levels of confrontation, including conventional war and limited nuclear use.
—Paul Avey, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee and thousands of structures were affected in the most destructive firestorm in city history.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
These Chinese counter-space capabilities included direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, as well as co-orbital satellites, which are placed into Earth's orbit and later maneuvered to approach and attack a target satellite through destructive and non-destructive ways.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
The security-studies scholar Glenn Snyder speculated in 1965 that deterrence of the most destructive forms of nuclear conflict would create instability at lower levels of confrontation, including conventional war and limited nuclear use.
—Paul Avey, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
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