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
As a result, there is far less destructive pressure and no reason to specialize too soon, and young athletes are encouraged to try out multiple sports.
—
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
As the reservoirs of the Republican and Democratic voters evaporate, independents are becoming a stream of optimism for removing the wasteful and destructive policy of the two-party war that is pushing us further apart.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Increase your harvest and keep destructive pests away with these companion plants for peppers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Nothing else any government has ever proposed to do would add as much fuel to global warming and to the increasingly destructive heat waves, hurricanes, droughts, crop failures, wildfires and floods that are among its most obvious immediate effects.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
As the reservoirs of the Republican and Democratic voters evaporate, independents are becoming a stream of optimism for removing the wasteful and destructive policy of the two-party war that is pushing us further apart.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Increase your harvest and keep destructive pests away with these companion plants for peppers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Nothing else any government has ever proposed to do would add as much fuel to global warming and to the increasingly destructive heat waves, hurricanes, droughts, crop failures, wildfires and floods that are among its most obvious immediate effects.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 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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