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
He’s caught in a rinse-repeat cycle of these destructive patterns, but doesn’t seem to mind it much.
—
Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa continued its destructive path, making landfall in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 storm after devastating parts of Jamaica.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
While this energy level is lower than many rifle categories, the slug’s massive frontal area and weight create uniquely destructive terminal effects.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Is there destructive competition or past disagreements?
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa continued its destructive path, making landfall in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 storm after devastating parts of Jamaica.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
While this energy level is lower than many rifle categories, the slug’s massive frontal area and weight create uniquely destructive terminal effects.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Is there destructive competition or past disagreements?
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 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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