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
The device removes the need for manual sampling and slow destructive testing, the researchers said.
—
Maureen MacKey , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
But Reef is also five years sober from a destructive heroin addiction that the adoring public thankfully is unaware of.
—Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Some began mining sand for the construction industry, to the frustration of the Great Green Wall department, which sees it as destructive to the environment.
—Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
While these trees evolved with frequent low intensity fire, today’s hotter and more destructive wildfires, combined with drought, are taking a growing toll.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Maureen MacKey , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
But Reef is also five years sober from a destructive heroin addiction that the adoring public thankfully is unaware of.
—Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Some began mining sand for the construction industry, to the frustration of the Great Green Wall department, which sees it as destructive to the environment.
—Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
While these trees evolved with frequent low intensity fire, today’s hotter and more destructive wildfires, combined with drought, are taking a growing toll.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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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