constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
constructive fraud
2
: of or relating to construction or creation
3
: promoting improvement or development
constructive criticism
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Examples of constructive in a Sentence
I tried to offer constructive criticism.
Your feedback was not very constructive.
The program helps people recently released from prison figure out how they can play a constructive role in society.
Recent Examples on the Web
Without that, Dixon says, the exchange would have taken far more work to define and may not have produced the same level of constructive feedback.
—
Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Now here's Josh on the risk management… Risk management Josh — LYV has spent the better part of a year building a constructive base, and the chart is now paying off.
—
Josh Brown,sean Russo,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Most teenagers will not have careers or livelihoods based on their respective sports, so emphasizing personal growth and enjoyment over elite outcomes is most often both constructive and realistic, experts say.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Our society can stand a large dose of constructive criticism.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constructive
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Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Now here's Josh on the risk management… Risk management Josh — LYV has spent the better part of a year building a constructive base, and the chart is now paying off.
—
Josh Brown,sean Russo,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Most teenagers will not have careers or livelihoods based on their respective sports, so emphasizing personal growth and enjoyment over elite outcomes is most often both constructive and realistic, experts say.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Our society can stand a large dose of constructive criticism.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constructive
Cite this Entry
“Constructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constructive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: helping to develop or improve something
constructive suggestions
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Legal Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: created by a legal fiction: as
a
: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation
b
: not actual but implied by operation of the law
made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a voluntary departure—Harvard Law Review
compare actual
Harvard Law Review
constructively
adverb
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