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
While moles typically make a mess of lawns, voles can be destructive throughout your garden.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
Said was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and with distributing information related to a destructive device.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
Wildfires pose a serious threat to Hawaii's communities, native ecosystems, drinking water, infrastructure, and cultural resources, as evidenced by the destructive Maui fires in 2023, which were fueled by strong winds.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
This impatience can be particularly destructive because many AI benefits compound over time, yet leadership may lose confidence and cut funding just as systems are beginning to learn and improve.
—Stoyan Mitov, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
Said was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and with distributing information related to a destructive device.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
Wildfires pose a serious threat to Hawaii's communities, native ecosystems, drinking water, infrastructure, and cultural resources, as evidenced by the destructive Maui fires in 2023, which were fueled by strong winds.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
This impatience can be particularly destructive because many AI benefits compound over time, yet leadership may lose confidence and cut funding just as systems are beginning to learn and improve.
—Stoyan Mitov, Forbes.com, 30 July 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 5 Aug. 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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